Money Saving
Want to get more out of cheesy smoked sausage rice without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.
Key Takeaways
- I genuinely needed comfort food yesterday, so started looking near at what I could make with the ingredients I had on hand.
- Worth noting: comfort food on a plate: Exactly what I was going for here.
- On my last trip to ALDI I impulse bought this jalapeño & cheddar smoked sausage, which is a seasonal special purchase at the moment.
- This package of smoked sausage links has so much kicked up cheddar-jalapeño flavor as an added bonus.
How Cheesy Smoked Sausage Rice Really Works
Hey, now we're talking. I wasn't feeling like rice & beans, though, so went a slightly different direction by adding corn and sweet bell peppers to contrast with the rest of the spicy goodness here.
So, I ended up with a pan full of spiced up salsa rice, chock full of sausage & cheese and deliciously spicy, yet with pops of sweetness throughout from corn and red bell pepper. What a fortuitous find, indeed.
Getting the Most From Cheesy Smoked Sausage Rice
More importantly, the spicier sausage genuinely brought this recipe together (although I did remove the decorative fresh jalapeños from the top before serving). If you are sensitive to heat, though, go ahead and substitute regular smoked sausage; you might also omit crushed red pepper from the recipe.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for one minute. Add the sausage, onions, and bell peppers to the skillet.
Tips That Make a Difference
Remember that cook for 7-8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or until the onions and peppers are softened. Meanwhile: Drain the corn, measure out your rice, and open the salsa, getting everything ready for the next step. (By the method: I'm so happy with my new-ish straightforward jar opening Jarkey shown here; it's saved me so much time & frustration!) Once the veggies are softened, stir in the rice, garlic, salt, and spices.
Saute for another minute to briefly toast the rice. Stir in the salsa, water, and corn.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As a rule, increase the heat under the pan and bring everything to a boil. Reduce heat to medium (or medium-low, if your burners are more powerful than mine; you wish it bubbling gently).
Let everything simmer untouched for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and has absorbed most of the liquid. Take off the lid and stir the rice.
Is Cheesy Smoked Sausage Rice Worth It?
In short, be sure the rice is cooked (if not, pop the lid back on for a bit), then stir in the cheese until melted. Serve topped with optional chopped green onion.
Note: I used jalapeño cheddar sausage, for an added kick! This recipe turned out a bit spicy -- but if you are sensitive to spice, you can substitute regular smoked sausage, apply a mild salsa, and/or omit the crushed red pepper.
Where the Real Savings Hide
Worth noting: i also used 1.5 cups of cheese since I wanted it added cheesy; if you aren't feeling that, though, 1 cup should do you. So much flavor simmered into this skillet I made this rice & sausage skillet in the early afternoon (since: high school sports), and just couldn't wait all afternoon to come back home and eat it for dinner.
Soooo much flavor, and this meal does reheat genuinely nicely. It would be a excellent choice for meal prep at the beginning of the week, and I'm already plotting ahead to have more for lunch right now.
A Closer Look at Cheesy Smoked Sausage Rice
More importantly, cheesy smoked sausage & rice skillet is naturally gluten free; just ensure that the brand of smoked sausage you apply is. And, you have to love a one pot meal for fewer dishes, if nothing else!
Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Rice Skillet, printable recipe Save Recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I save money on cheesy smoked sausage rice?
Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. I wasn't feeling like rice & beans, though, so went a slightly different direction by adding corn and sweet bell peppers to contrast with the rest of the spicy goodness here.
Is it worth shopping around for cheesy smoked sausage rice?
Usually yes. So, I ended up with a pan full of spiced up salsa rice, chock full of sausage & cheese and deliciously spicy, yet with pops of sweetness throughout from corn and red bell pepper.
What should I check before buying?
Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. What a fortuitous find, indeed.
Smart Ways to Save More on Cheesy Smoked Sausage Rice
- Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
- Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
- Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
- Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
- Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line on cheesy smoked sausage rice: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.
Originally published at mashupmom.com.
