Bold and delicious, this Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with rice is an easy weeknight dinner.
To be honest, this wasn’t even a dish I had planned on making. But I found myself unprepared for dinner one night, and after flipping through the pages of this cookbook, I came across this recipe and had all the ingredients on hand. I’m so glad I made it, because it was my favorite of the recipes I tried! Bold, delicious flavors, and the leftovers were great, too!
Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with Rice
Bold and delicious, this Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with rice is an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 medium zucchini diced
- 1 can 32-oz tomato puree
- 1 can 6 oz tomato paste
- pinch of dried oregano
- 3 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons water
- 1 3/4 cups long grain white rice
- 1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
- salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup grated Romano Parmesan, or Asiago cheese
Instructions
- In a deep saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion until very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute a minute or two to soften. Add the tomato puree, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- In a medium-size saucepan, bring the 3 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the rice, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, 20 minutes.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage with the 3 tablespoons water. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until lightly browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon, draining off any fat, and add it to the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the sauce for 10 more minutes, or until the rice is done.
- Ladle the rice into shallow bowls, top with some sauce, and pass the cheese at the table.
Colleen says
This looks like a cookbook I will have to check out. Thanks for the review!
bridezillabakes says
Sounds good! Thanks for the helpful review……. I love the sound of that sweet potato hash especially, since I also LOVE sweet potatoes! How can something so good for you also be so delicious?
Barbara says
Nice review, Deborah. The sweet potato chicken hash is unusual and looks great. The book will go on my wish list.
Sook says
That is a great review. Makes me want to go buy the cookbook!
Joanne says
I have the not your mother's slow cooker cookbook and really love it. The recipes are shockingly delicious for how simple they are!
I love the looks of that sweet potato hash…my kind of dish! I also really like your reviewing style.
Miss Meat and Potatoes says
That chicken hash looks so pretty. I've never heard of this book or series – thanks for sharing.
Pam says
Oh, they all look delicious, especially the taco salad and Italian sausage! Yum!
Tia says
Interesting 0 it's by beth hensperger… i have a book on breads by her!