Sausage and Sage Casserole

Warm, hearty, and packed with savory flavors, this Sausage and Sage Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for any night of the week. Featuring tender Italian sausage (choose between mild or spicy for a custom kick), aromatic sage, and perfectly cooked rice, this dish combines wholesome ingredients like sautéed vegetables, garlic, and thyme into a one-pan wonder. A luxurious drizzle of heavy cream adds richness, while a golden breadcrumb and Parmesan topping delivers irresistible crunch. Ready in just one hour, this casserole is easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. Serve it as a standalone meal or pair it with a crisp green salad for a cozy and satisfying family dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cups unsalted chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spoon, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, fresh sage, and dried thyme, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the uncooked rice to the vegetable mixture and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to lightly toast the rice.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the salt and pepper, then remove from heat.

Step 6

Transfer the rice and vegetable mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Layer the cooked sausage over the top.

Step 7

Pour the heavy cream evenly over the sausage and rice mixture.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1858.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3166.5

Total Fat 204.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 488.8mg	0%
Sodium 6960.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 225.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 17.3g
Protein 105.5g	0%

Vitamin D 14IU	0%
Calcium 845.8mg	0%
Iron 11.4mg	0%
Potassium 2650.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.1%

Protein: 13.3%

Carbs: 28.6%