Busy with work, kids, projects, life in general… perhaps all of the above? There is nothing easier from the prep all the way down to the clean-up, than a one pot meal. If that wasn’t fantastic enough, one pot means all of the flavors you add to the pot, stay in the pot and only build and intensify as it cooks.
Feed your belly and comfort your soul in one pot. What’s more satisfying than that?
Kitchen Helpers, Arlo and Otis
As some of you may know, we recently moved across the country to the Bay Area. I’m one of those crazy people that can’t stand to have things cluttered and in disarray, so I will not stop until everything is back in its place. Yes, I am that person. Which means that from sunup to sundown while Mr. HapaNom was away on business, I was unpacking – 15,000 pounds of household goods. ‘Just wait until I get home’, my husband would plead. But my obsession for tidiness would not allow me to wait. I got through it with lots of wine, the antics and comedy stylings of Arlo and Otis (our dogs) and quick meals like this Easy One Pot Sausage and Rice dish.
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces (about 4) mild Italian sausages
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- pinch of crush red pepper flakes (optional)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons parsley, roughly chopped (garnish)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degreed F.
- Add the olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet (cast-iron, if you have it) and warm over medium-high heat.
- Using a fork, prick the sausages and add to the pan. Turn to brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and once cooled, slice into ¼-inch coins. (Do not wipe out the skillet).
- Add the onion to the pan and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the smashed garlic and cherry tomatoes. Stir in the rice and add the chicken broth. Add the crushed red pepper if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the sliced sausage and bring the contents of the pan to a simmer. Cover and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest with the lid in place for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the lid with an oven mitt and garnish with chopped parsley, serve and enjoy!
Ooh man! This was really good and all of my kids including my 2 year old loved this and my 11 year old had seconds. Thank you so much for a family friendly meal that’s not only one pot (any excuse to use my cast iron) but pretty and delicious as well, I will be making your recipe at least twice a month!
That’s great to hear, Alicia! Now that I have a toddler, I’m definitely finding quick recipes with minimal clean-up a must. I’m looking to add more recipes like this to my site very soon – stay tuned 🙂
Hi I don’t have a skillet that’s oven proof.. could I just transfer it to a oven proof dish and cover with tin foil while it bakes?
Thank you 🙂
Hi, Diana! Yes, that will work as well. Hope you enjoy 🙂
I’m in love with one pot meals at the moment – less washing up, less stress, more time for……reading blogs 🙂 I’m like you when it comes to unpacking – everything has to be put away immediately I can’t stand having boxes out for weeks. I’m a bit of a tidy freak 🙂
Me too! I’ve been on a one pot meal fix recently – they’re just so quick and easy… not to mention delicious! As fast as the moving goes – totally OCD 😉
Love a one pot meal. This will be perfect for when things get crazy busy in September!!
One pot meals are the best! Hope this one helps you and your family out when things get crazy busy 🙂
One pot meals are actually one of my favorite things to make! Since I have no dishwasher, doing the dishes on regular meals (or even baking!) can take forever!
I totally know what your saying, Cathleen! There was a time I didn’t have a dishwasher either, and anything that could cut down on clean-up afterward was definitely appreciated!
I made this last night but with chorizo as that is the only sausage I had to hand. It was so easy and tasted great, thank you.
Hi, Ann! I’m so glad you enjoyed the dish! 🙂 Chorizo sounds like a fantastic pairing and a great way to add some heat.
Looks delicious!
Thanks, Sabrina 🙂
Well hello….. this is just about my perfect idea of a meal! I’m thinking I might try this with chorizo because I have some in the freezer (I never have sausages for some reason!)
And girl…you really should have waited for your hubby to return although I have to say, I’m like you. Overtime I move, I barely sleep for 48 hours because I can’t STAND having boxes around! I’m nuts. A bit like YOU! N x 😉
Ha – I had a feeling that you might try a version of this with chorizo. I guess I know your tastes 😉
It certainly takes a nut to know a nut 😛 I’m just glad to be hearing from so many other people that are also completely neurotic about things being organized. Maybe we’re not so nuts afterall 😉
Kathleen, you know I am a one pot rice gal! This looks so flipping good! MY god! I am in love!!!! And I always think that I am one of those gonna get shiz organized immediately type of gals..and then I get side tracked like an ADD puppy 🙂 And run around doing one thing to the next!!!
Lol! I know exactly what you’re talking about! I actually stayed pretty focused this time with unpacking, however if I’m doing something tedious like re-organizing a closet, I get SO side-tracked! I’ll find something like an old picture and then I feel the need to dig out other pictures and reminisce. Before I know it, not only are the closet contents all pulled out, but now so is the photo bin in storage. I totally have ADD when it comes to stuff like that!
Yes yes totally!!!! I do that with pictures all the time!!!! I even do it on my phone 🙂 I’ll be looking for a picture and then I see other pics and I get side tracked… Such a nightmare!
Yum, it looks divine! I love one pot meals. I’m with you on the clutter. I hate having things all out of place and disorganized. I can’t focus or function like that!
I’m so glad to hear from so many people that also can’t stand to have clutter around – I don’t feel like such a organization freak anymore 😉
Yeah,I’m always busy 🙂 One pot meals are awesome! This is such a great dish, I can’t believe I have not cooked with sausage in a while! Need to try it soon! Your helpers are too cute 🙂
Thanks, Mira! It had actually been awhile since I last cooked with sausage too – oh my, I forget how tasty it is! 😉 My mom just tried the dish with turkey sausage and love it!
I’m with you, I am totally THAT girl that has to unpack the boxes and get everything organized as soon as possible too. One pot meals are such life savers especially when you are in the middle of a move 🙂 Love all the flavors in this easy skillet meal, it looks so comforting and delicious!
I’m so to know that there are other people out there that can’t relax until everything is organized! It makes be feel way less neurotic 😉 One pot meals have been a life-saver since moving!
OMG! I am so THAT person too!! Everyone keeps saying take your time, and I’m like, ” But the boxes are making me CRAZY!!!!!” And my hubs works A LOT so it’s all on me as well. I wish we lived closer, because you, me, our dogs, and a few bottles of wine would make it all good!! 😉 I’m (obviously) TOTALLY digging your one pot wonder! Hearty, delicious, fabulously flavorful = Gimme some of dat!!! Love this! Pinned! You should name this dish the sanity saver. Lol 😉 Cheers, pretty!
Lol! You always crack me up, Cheyanne! I’m so relieved to hear that you and most other people who have commented are also ‘THAT person’. It makes me feel a little less crazy 😉
It would be so awesome if we lived closer – we could unpack and loose our minds together!
My favorite kind of meal! Feeds my belly and comforts my soul…I’m in! Beautiful dish, Kathleen!
Thanks so much, Annie 🙂
I love 30-minute one pot meals. They are a life saver and not to mention delicious.The rice, sausage, and fresh tomato combo looks yummy! I don’t blame you for wanting to get things in order ASAP. Having a house in disarray really elevates my stress level.
Lol, stress level was through the roof! I think maybe it was a good thing my husband was away for work while I unpacked – he would have thought he married a crazy woman! 😉
Kathleen, I can really relate to your wanting everything put away in your new home. When I was younger I moved a lot, and always made sure I did not go to bed until everything was put away, except pictures on the wall. I think that for me, besides being able to find what I needed, it also helped me to feel at home in my new place. The last time I moved was 7 years ago when I got married, and it took quite a while to settle into my husband’s house. But by that time it was okay to do it slower. 🙂 This recipe sounds wonderful. I like simple and one skillet. This is something I’d try making in an electric skillet, and I’m sure it would work well that way. Glad you’re settled in, and I hope you enjoy San Francisco.
I think that for me, besides being able to find what I needed, it also helped me to feel at home in my new place.
Yes! I couldn’t agree with you more, Susan. One of the reasons I pushed myself to the brink of insanity trying to unpack everything right away, was that I couldn’t wait for our new home to feel like our home. 🙂
This dish is so me, Kathleen! Love the one pot and it’s a great way to use up the cherry tomatoes from my CSA this week. Your helpers, Arlo and Otis, are too cute! I couldn’t get anything done with those two around because I’d have to keep stopping to hug and kiss them repeatedly 🙂 BTW, I’m one of those people too who can’t rest until everything is put away and in it’s right place.
Lol, well I couldn’t get anything done around them, but not because I was stopping to hug and kiss them repeatedly. It’s because they are young, insane, and constantly rough-housing! I think they think their names are ‘No’ and ‘Stop It’ 😉
This is so comforting and love Italian sausage. I’ve been looking for a new one-pot recipe and I just found it, thank you 🙂
Thank you my dear. I’m so glad I could give you another idea for a one-pot meal 🙂
What a gorgeous looking skillet, Kathleen! This one pot sausage rice looks awesome! Lovely share! 🙂
Thanks! Sometimes a quick and easy is the most satisfying 😉
Delicious one pot meal Kathleen! Loving the addition of bursting tomatoes! 15,000 metric tons of kitchen supplies does seem a tad high there is nothing better than having 2 of mans best friends by your side to help you get that sorted. Pinned!
Omg… if I had 15,000 metric tons of just kitchen supplies, I think I’d be unpacking for the rest of my life! In retrospect, 15,000 pounds of all of our household goods doesn’t sound too bad now 😉