Creamy Baked Rice with Sausage and Spinach

Okay, let’s get this baked rice party started, shall we? honestly, who doesn’t love a good rice bake recipe ? i'm thinking about those chilly evenings when you just want something proper comforting.

Ever had that feeling? this recipe is like a warm hug in a dish.

Creamy Baked Rice with Sausage and Spinach: Comfort Food Elevated

This is more than just your average buttered rice recipe . it’s an italian rice bake , or "riso al forno" inspired dish, but made easy for a weeknight.

We're talking creamy, cheesy goodness with a savoury kick. this sausage spinach baked rice is pure comfort. it's rooted in italian tradition, but we're giving it a modern, approachable spin.

It's a medium-level effort, takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, and feeds six hungry souls.

Creamy Baked Rice with Sausage and Spinach Recipe Card

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:50 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 teaspoons)
• 8 ounces (225g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups (300g) Arborio rice (risotto rice)
• 4 cups (950ml) hot chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• ½ cup (60g) heavy cream
• 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

• Brown the sausage in a large skillet. Remove and set aside. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
• Add olive oil to the skillet, then sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
• Add the spinach and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the browned sausage back to the skillet with the spinach mixture.
• Melt butter in the same skillet. Add the Arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to toast the rice.
• Gradually add the hot chicken broth to the rice, stirring constantly until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid. Don't let it dry out completely.
• Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese into the rice mixture. Combine the rice mixture with the sausage and spinach in the baking dish. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 40-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the top is golden brown.
• Let the baked rice rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450 calories

Fat:25g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

Why This Recipe Rocks

Forget boring rice! this dish is packed with flavour and sneaks in some greens too. plus, it's a great source of protein.

I love making this when i'm having friends over for a casual brunch. it’s always a crowd-pleaser. what makes this recipe special? the oven baked rice gets unbelievably creamy, and that crispy parmesan topping? oh my gosh! just heavenly.

But before we get carried away, let's talk about what we need to make the magic happen: you know, the ingredients.

Key Ingredients for the Best Baked Rice

Let's gather our bits and bobs. get your hands on some good quality italian sausage, fresh spinach, arborio rice (it’s a game-changer!), chicken broth, heavy cream, and of course, parmesan baked rice .

Seriously, don't skimp on the parmesan! using hot broth is key to good absorption . now, there is one stick of butter rice in this recipe that helps the flavor to come out.

Okay, let's get this baked rice party started! i’m thinking comfort food, pure and simple. forget fussy; we’re going for flavour and ease.

This creamy baked rice with sausage and spinach will knock your socks off. it's the kind of dish that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Ingredients & Equipment: The Lowdown

Right then, let’s talk ingredients. Don't worry, you probably have half of this in your pantry already. It's all about flavour town here.

Main Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: 1 pound ( 450g ). Remove the casings, nobody wants those! Look for sausage that's firm and smells fresh. If it smells off, bin it.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ). Any good quality olive oil will do, don't stress too much about it.
• Yellow Onion: 1 medium. Finely diced, about 1 cup. Make sure it's firm, not squishy.
• Garlic: 2 cloves. Minced, about 2 teaspoons. Fresh garlic is a must, trust me. The jarred stuff just isn't the same.
• Fresh Spinach: 8 ounces ( 225g ). Roughly chopped. Give it a good wash first, yeah? Nobody wants sandy spinach.
• Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (optional). Only if you like a bit of a kick.
• Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ). Seriously, use butter. It's worth it.
• Arborio Rice: 1 ½ cups ( 300g ). This is risotto rice , people! It's what makes it creamy. Don’t be using long-grain, unless you want a total disaster.
• Hot Chicken Broth: 4 cups ( 950ml ). Low-sodium is best. Nobody wants a salt bomb.
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup ( 60ml ). This is what makes it ridiculously creamy.
• Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup ( 100g ), grated, plus more for topping. Get the good stuff, it's worth the splurge. Aged Parmesan is your best bet.
• Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish. Because we're fancy like that.

Seasoning Notes

Essential spice combinations include salt, pepper, and the optional red pepper flakes. the flavour enhancer is the parmesan cheese! seriously, good parmesan baked rice is all about the cheese.

For aromatics, garlic and onion are key. if you’re out of red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne pepper works.

Equipment Needed

Alright, time to talk tools. We're keeping it simple here.

• Large skillet or Dutch oven. For browning the sausage and all that.
• 9x13 inch baking dish. Or similar sized oven-safe dish. Pyrex is your friend.

If you don’t have a 9x13 dish, just use any similar sized oven baked rice dish. Stick of butter rice , Buttered rice recipe and oven baked rice need a proper dish!

So, there you have it. all the ingredients and equipment you need to make this glorious creamy baked rice . now, let's get cooking! don’t forget that delicious sausage spinach baked rice is worth the effort.

And if you fancy something extra special, try adding a little bit of truffle oil for a truly decadent italian rice bake experience – magnifico!

Alright, let's talk comfort food! ever crave something that's both hearty and a bit fancy? let me introduce you to creamy baked rice with sausage and spinach.

It’s like a warm hug in a dish. seriously, this oven baked rice is about to become your new best mate.

It's proper lush.

Prep Like a Pro!

First, mise en place , darlings! chop your onion, mince the garlic. get that spinach washed and roughly chopped. remove sausage from casings.

It's all about setting yourself up for success, innit? remember to wash your hands. food safety first.

Step-by-Step: From Hob to Oven

1. Brown that sausage in a large skillet. Remove it and set aside. You want it nicely browned.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in the same skillet with olive oil until softened. About 5 minutes.
3. Throw in the spinach and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook until wilted. Season to taste.
4. Add the sausage back to the spinach mixture. Give it a good stir.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add 1 ½ cups Arborio rice . Cook for about 2 minutes , stirring constantly.
6. Gradually add 4 cups hot chicken broth , stirring until absorbed. Don't let it dry out, yeah?
7. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and 1 cup Parmesan cheese . Combine with the sausage and spinach in a baking dish. Sprinkle with more Parmesan .
8. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 40- 50 minutes , until golden brown and bubbly.

Pro Tips & Tricks

Want to take your baked rice to the next level? toast the rice in butter before adding the broth. trust me; it makes a difference.

Common mistake? overcooking the rice. nobody likes mushy rice. this dish is also great for making ahead. just assemble it and pop it in the fridge.

Then bake it when you're ready.

This recipe is inspired by italian riso al forno variations . you can call it an italian rice bake . if you like a butter baked rice , you'll adore this.

Plus, who doesn’t love a stick of butter rice that's just melt-in-your-mouth delicious? i tell you, this buttered rice recipe will be one of your favourites.

I have a friend who swears by adding a splash of white wine.

Honestly, i can still remember my first attempt at making baked rice . i totally forgot to toast the rice. the end result was a bit gloopy, but still tasted amazing.

These days, i always make sure to pay extra attention to the little details. makes all the difference. think of this as a sophisticated rice pudding, but savory, not sweet.

It's total comfort food.

Have you considered different takes on this? i'm also thinking about adding a sausage spinach baked rice version. and maybe a creamy baked risotto recipe .

Ooh, fancy! anyway, give this recipe a whirl. you won’t regret it. parmesan baked rice is a winner every time!

Alright, let's dive into some extra bits and bobs for your amazing creamy baked rice with sausage and spinach. i want you to nail this rice bake recipes , so here are my top tips.

Recipe Notes: Making Your Baked Rice Epic

Serving It Up: Plating Like a Pro

Honestly, presentation matters. i reckon a rustic, oven-to-table vibe is spot on. think a warm, slightly browned italian rice bake in a pretty dish.

Garnish with extra parmesan baked rice and fresh parsley. serve alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty bread. this butter baked rice dish goes amazing with a glass of chilled pinot grigio too!

Storing Your Leftovers (If There Are Any!)

Refrigeration is key. pop any leftover oven baked rice in an airtight container, and it'll keep for 3-4 days. if you're thinking long-term, freezing is an option, though the texture might change slightly.

For reheating, a gentle oven bake is best, or you can microwave it with a splash of broth to keep it moist.

Let's Get Creative: Rice Bake Remix

Fancy a twist? ditch the sausage for mushrooms for a veggie version. or go wild with a bit of chorizo for some heat! for a lighter take, try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

And when it is pumpkin season, i'm all over it. feel free to add pumpkin cubes. so delicious and such a twist!

Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness in Every Bite

This butter rice recipe is packed with protein, carbs, and vitamins from the spinach. It's comforting and nourishing – perfect for a pick-me-up!

I even remember when i first made a " stick of butter rice ," i was so worried about it being too heavy.

But the flavour? unbelievable! experiment with a creamy baked risotto recipe and you'll nail it down with the help of this guide.

A Few Words of Wisdom

Seriously, don't be afraid to experiment! this sausage spinach baked rice recipe is just a starting point. add your own magic.

You got this! there are a lot of "riso al forno variations," so i'm pretty sure you will be able to do a great job.