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Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with Rice in a shallow bowl with a red background

Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with Rice


  • Author: Deborah Harroun
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Bold and delicious, this Italian Sausage and Red Sauce with rice is an easy weeknight dinner.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 can (32-oz) tomato puree
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • pinch of dried oregano
  • 3 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 3/4 cups long grain white rice
  • 1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
  • salt and pepper
  • 3/4 cup grated Romano, Parmesan, or Asiago cheese

Instructions

  1. In a deep saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion until very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute a minute or two to soften. Add the tomato puree, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
  2. In a medium-size saucepan, bring the 3 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the rice, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, 20 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage with the 3 tablespoons water. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until lightly browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon, draining off any fat, and add it to the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the sauce for 10 more minutes, or until the rice is done.
  4. Ladle the rice into shallow bowls, top with some sauce, and pass the cheese at the table.