Description
This Sausage and Rice Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for a family dinner. It combines savory pork sausage, tender celery, creamy soup, and sour cream blended with cooked rice, topped with crispy French fried onions for a delicious crunchy finish. Easy to prepare and bake, it’s a flavorful all-in-one meal that will satisfy everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1½ pounds pork sausage
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
Rice and Dairy
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
Seasonings and Toppings
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of celery soup
- 1 cup French fried onions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cook Sausage and Celery: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the pork sausage until it is no longer pink, breaking it up so it crumbles evenly. Remove the cooked sausage and drain any excess grease from the pan. Add the chopped celery to the skillet and sauté until the celery becomes tender, enhancing its flavor and texture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend together sour cream, cream of celery soup, milk, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth. Add the cooked sausage, sautéed celery, and cooked rice into the bowl. Stir everything thoroughly to combine. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the combined rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.
- Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the French fried onions over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the onions and finish cooking the casserole.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra freshness. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Using cooked rice saves time and ensures the rice is fluffy in the casserole.
- For extra flavor, brown the sausage well but avoid overcooking to keep it juicy.
- You can substitute cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor.
- French fried onions add a great crunchy topping; avoid adding them too early to prevent sogginess.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
