One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice
A comforting one-pot meal with spicy Italian sausage simmered with tomatoes and rice for a flavorful, hearty dish. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, diced white onion, minced garlic cloves, rinsed long grain white rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, casings removed and crumbled Italian sausage
- 1 medium, diced white onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot with the sausage and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the rice in the oil and flavors.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover tightly.
- Step 5: Simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced white onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Sausage Rice?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
