Cheesy Sausage Rice Casserole (Print version)

Smoked sausage, tender rice, vegetables, and a creamy cheddar sauce baked into a cozy family casserole.

# Ingredients:

For the casserole

01 - 14 oz (400 g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1/4-inch coins
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 3 cups (480 g) cooked long-grain white rice, fluffed
07 - 2 cups (180 g) small broccoli florets, thawed if frozen

For the cheese sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
11 - 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
02 - Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning once, until browned at the edges. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Add the onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. When melted, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and chicken broth, then simmer for 2-3 minutes until lightly thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the Dijon, paprika, salt, pepper, and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar until smooth.
05 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, browned sausage, vegetables, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Stir until evenly coated, then spread into the prepared baking dish.
06 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar, and bake for 10-12 minutes more, until bubbling at the edges and melted on top. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Best with cooked long-grain rice that has cooled slightly or been refrigerated.
02 - Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if assembled ahead and chilled.
03 - Estimated nutrition is per serving and will vary by sausage and cheese brand.

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