Wondering what to do with leftover rice? How about making an entire delicious meal with only a few cups? This sausage and rice dish is the perfect easy weeknight meal.

I’m going to guess you have most of these easy ingredients on hand right now which makes this the perfect meal to throw together. Whether you make your own rice, or use up that carton from yesterday’s take-out, Sausage and Rice couldn’t be easier.

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Does anyone else make A LOT of rice each time they make it? I mean, sometimes even the measurements on the back aren’t enough… I like to make a big batch of rice to make sure we have enough and to use for another meal or leftovers.

Because of my make-way-too-much-rice issue, sometimes we even have some leftover after two meals. Or, you know when you order from a restaurant and you have that one last almost-full paper carton of rice left?

This sausage and rice dish is perfect for that!

You only need a couple cups of rice, but there is plenty of flavor to extend that a bit if you’re making fresh rice and want a little more.

Sausage and Rice

This is the kind of meal I love because the ingredients are so basic. In our house, these things are always on hand. The reason I love this recipe so much is because it’s the perfect pantry or freezer meal, especially if you’re looking to use up some leftover rice.

We are never without carrots, onions, peas, or garlic. That’s basically all there is to it! …but the flavor!!! It’s so tasty!

I can always throw Sausage and Rice together!

There is always a bag of rice in the pantry, or we make a plan to make this with leftovers.

I also like to keep a few links of Hillshire Farms smoked sausage in the freezer because it’s such an easy way to add some protein and flavor to a meal. It thaws much more quickly than other things I can grab out of the freezer. Plus, I just love it!

It makes me think of my mom’s amazing Thanksgiving dressing. The sausage is the star there too! SO good!

Those darn kids…

Can I be honest with you? This is a recipe my kids don’t love. I cannot figure it out! What’s not to love? Rice, delicious smoked sausage, and all their favorite veggies. Seriously. I’m baffled…

Don’t let that stop you, though! My husband and I absolutely love it. In fact, my mouth is watering right now.

Making Sausage and Rice

This recipe really couldn’t be easier, especially if you’re working with leftover rice. In that case, this is a one-pan meal!

This came about because these are the ingredients I always have in the house. If you have celery you can add that to you carrots and onions, you can add another type of veggie, or even a different sausage. Sure, it will taste different, but the key is getting yourself a quick, go-to meal with things you normally have in your house!

Chop as you go

So, start by heating a tablespoon of canola oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add your chopped onion, carrots, and garlic. Stir occasionally and heat until everything starts to soften.

I like to do it right while I’m prepping the other things. It cuts down on the time and keeps things moving.

I’ll cut the carrots while the oil is heating and add them to the pan first. Then I’ll cut the onion and put that in the pan next. I use minced garlic from the fridge instead of cloves of fresh garlic, but I scoop that in next.

I give all of that a stir and let it start to soften. In the meantime, I start cutting the sausage. Once the onions are soft and translucent and the carrots have started to soften, I add in the sausage and stir it all together.

The sausage is the best when it starts to get caramelized and the sides start to brown.

The. Best.

Season it up!

Next, add the paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic and stir everything together.

Pro Tip: I season nearly everything with salt, pepper, and garlic. So, in an empty spice container, I combine 1/2 pink Himalayan sea salt, 1/4 pepper, and 1/4 garlic powder. We use that on everything!

At this point I take my always-handy frozen peas out of the freezer and add them to the mix until they thaw and mix together, but not so long that they lose their bright green color.

Also Read: The Easy Peasy Kids Snack

Last, add that cooked rice in and stir until everything is mixed and heated through.

Easy busy night or last-minute meal!

It’s such an easy meal while the kids are running around and everyone is getting hungry. Nothing really needs to be prepped ahead of time. Your veggies can be chopped right as you go, and you don’t even need to thaw your peas or sausage if you keep those in the freezer like I do. If you’re cooking your rice, just be sure to start that before anything else and it should be ready right about the time you need to add it in.

More Easy Recipes for Busy Nights!

My favorite recipes are all easy ones, so you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for something busy moms can manage!

Chicken Chili – we LOVE this one and just made it last weekend!

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Hotdish – This is one we just made this past week too! So yummy!

Crockpot Taco Lentils – I love something you can throw in the crockpot and these lentils will not having you miss the meat at all!

Chicken and Green Beans Sheet Pan Meal – I love a sheet pan meal! Anything with less dishes is for me!

What do you think? Are you going to throw this one together? Let me know if you do! Leave a comment here or tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!

I hope this easy Sausage and Rice will have you throwing a delicious meal together from take-out leftovers in no time!!

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