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October 26, 2021

Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice—A one-pot recipe for rice, smoked sausage, tomatoes and cheese that comes together quickly with your electric pressure cooker.

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

This rice casserole is a warm, homey meal that kids and adults will both love! With protein, carbs and veg all in the same pot it’s a great one-pot meal. It is versatile and can be made exactly how your people want it. It’s easy to double or halve. 

Ingredients in this Smoked Sausage and Rice

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil–to saute the diced onions
  • 1 cup diced onion–a good place to start with most all recipes
  • 2 tsp minced garlic–garlic is a must for flavor
  • 2 cups chicken broth–you can also use 2 cups of water and 2 tsp of Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice–you can also use jasmine or basmati rice
  • 1 (12 oz) package smoked sausage, sliced–I like to slice mine fairly thin so that they go farther and more bites contain sausage
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes–for extra flavor try fire roasted tomatoes
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper–for a tiny bit of kick or you can use red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt–for flavor
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper–for flavor
  • ¼ cup butter, cut into 4 pieces–for a bit of creaminess and richness
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and diced–I used a fairly large chop on these so they wouldn’t be totally mushy and indistinguishable
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar–for that melty, cheesy goodness

How to make Sausage and Rice

  1. Saute the onions and garlic: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the olive oil and onion. Saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
  2. Layer in the rest of the ingredients: Sprinkle in the rice. Add the sausage, tomatoes, cayenne, salt, pepper, butter and green pepper on top, do not stir (this will help avoid the burn error message).
  3. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. 
  4. Add cheese: Stir well. Add in the cheese and stir. 
  5. Adjust seasonings: Salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

What Kind of Sausage Do I Use?

I used beef smoked sausage (I think it was Hillshire Farm brand) here but any smoked sausage will work here. Other smoked sausages include andouille (cajun sausage), kielbasa or smoked chorizo. They are well-seasoned so they each add a lot of flavor to this meal. It doesn’t matter whether the smoked sausages you get are cooked or uncooked because they get cooked through in this recipe. You can choose to brown the sausages by using the saute setting for added color and flavor (I did not do this step).

Can I Use Brown Rice?

I used long grain white rice but other types of rice can definitely be used. I would follow the cooking times as listed in the green chart below. If you do use brown rice I would not add in the green pepper at the beginning as they will get overcooked and mushy with the long 22 minute pressure cooking time.

instant pot rice cooking times cheat sheet

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

Sausage and Rice Recipe Notes and Adaptations

  • Beef smoked sausage can be swapped with kielbasa, polish sausage, andouille sausage, bratwurst, chicken sausage or smoked chorizo. You can also use ground sausage and brown it along with the onions.
  • Try using a different color of bell peppers instead of green.
  • Try adding in some different seasonings depending on the flavor of your sausage. Some ideas are cajun seasoning, taco/fajita seasoning, italian seasoning or dry ranch dressing mix.
  • If you’re going for a mexican type of meal use picante sauce or salsa in the place of the diced tomatoes and add in a drained can of pinto or black beans.
  • This recipe is gluten-free as long as the broth is gluten-free.
  • Make this dairy free by leaving out the butter and cheese. It will still taste amazing!
  • Try using frozen diced onions to save yourself the step of chopping onions. I find mine in the frozen veggie aisle.
  • Try using jarred minced garlic to save yourself the step of mincing garlic. I buy the big jar at Costco.
  • Portion this meal into lunch containers for the whole week!

How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze

  • To Store. Place leftovers in an airtight storage container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, adding a splash of broth as needed. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through.
  • To Freeze. Store leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice

  • Instant Pot (3, 6 or 8 quart)
  • Cutting board*
  • Knife* to slice sausage, dice onions and cut bell pepper
  • Saute paddle*
  • Cheese grater*

More smoked sausage Instant Pot recipes you’ll love…

Instant Pot Train Wreck Dinner–tender potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and sausage sprinkled with cheese.

Instant Pot Campfire Hash–traditionally made over a campfire this potato, smoked sausage and corn dish is much faster and easier when made in your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Wisconsin Special–a one pot meal of bratwursts, red potatoes, carrots, onions and mushrooms with a delicious sauce.

Instant Pot Lazy Sunday Dinner–a fast and easy, dump and go recipe of smoked beef sausage, carrots, onions and mushrooms with a garlic balsamic glaze.

Instant Pot Cheesy Brats and Potatoes–sliced bratwurst, cubed potatoes, green beans and cheddar cheese in a savory sauce.

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice


★★★★★

4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Author: 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
  • Total Time: 19 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
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Description

A one-pot recipe for rice, smoked sausage, tomatoes and cheese that comes together quickly with your electric pressure cooker.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
  • 1 (12 oz) package smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (fire roasted tomatoes are a good choice!)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup butter, cut into 4 pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and diced (larger pieces)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions

  1. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the olive oil and onion. Saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
  2. Sprinkle in the rice. Add the sausage, tomatoes, cayenne, salt, pepper, butter and green pepper on top, do not stir.
  3. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. 
  4. Stir well. Add in the cheese and stir. 
  5. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!
  • Category: Sausage
  • Method: Instant Pot

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @365dayscrockpot on Instagram

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Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage And Rice

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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47 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Gluten Free, Sausage, Instant Pot, Rice Tagged With: can be dairy free, one pot meal

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Julie says

    March 24, 2023 at 6:18 am

    This is on repeat in my house. Quick, hearty, and easy to round out with a salad.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 24, 2023 at 10:47 am

      I love it! Thanks Julie for the 5 stars!

      Reply
  2. Cheryle says

    March 17, 2023 at 10:15 am

    Has anyone added a veggie to make this a one-dish meal? I was wondering about green beans. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 17, 2023 at 1:36 pm

      I haven’t tried it but I bet that would be great!

      Reply
  3. Amy Morris says

    March 6, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    I made this and it absolutely delicious. So quick and easy and my family inhaled it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8, 2023 at 11:25 am

      Thanks Amy! So glad to hear it!

      Reply
  4. Geovana says

    October 20, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    This sounds delicious! Should I set the IP to low or high pressure tho? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 21, 2022 at 9:27 pm

      high pressure

      Reply
  5. Tom L says

    January 14, 2022 at 11:30 am

    Should I drain the diced tomatoes?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 14, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      nope

      Reply
  6. Adrienne says

    November 11, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    I just made this for dinner last night. I omitted the onions and garlic and used tomatoes with garlic instead. It was delicious, and I will definitely keep this in my recipe list!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 13, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      awesome! Thanks for the 5 stars 🙂

      Reply
  7. Carol Burden says

    November 11, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    The recipe states it makes 6 servings, but the nutrition is given for 8 servings. Why the difference?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 13, 2021 at 9:49 pm

      It’s 6 good size servings or 8 smaller servings

      Reply
  8. Brenda Bates says

    November 10, 2021 at 7:36 am

    We absolutely loved this – I went exactly by the recipe. Hubby loved it too, and I brought leftovers for lunch today. This will definitely go in the rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 13, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Woo woo! I love to hear it Brenda!

      Reply
  9. judy moore says

    November 7, 2021 at 1:09 am

    Oh Karen you’ve done it again! It’s fast, easy & takes minimal prep (important after Saturday night bowling league) . I used hubby’s favorite polska kielbasa & he absolutely loved it! It’s absolutely delish & very colorful too. Thanks again for your fabulous recipes ❤

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 8, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      So glad you liked it Judy! And I think that’s fun that you have a bowling league!

      Reply
  10. Avery says

    November 2, 2021 at 7:20 am

    Which type of onion did you use?
    Red, yellow, white?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Yellow!

      Reply
  11. Sarah says

    November 1, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    Very tasty. Did not use butter or salt, some taco seasoning. Used cheese but will try it without next time.Wouldn’t leave on keep warm or rice will get mushy.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 12:48 pm

      Glad you liked it Sarah!

      Reply
  12. Joan Bourget says

    October 30, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    If I used just 3/4 cup Jasmine rice instead of 1 1/2 cups white rice in the Cheesey Sausage & Rice recipe (all other ingredients as the recipe) how much chicken broth would I use?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:04 pm

      I would use 1 cup of broth

      Reply
  13. D says

    October 27, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    I made this tonight as part of my mid week meal prep. It turned out very well. I did make a few changes to take into account what I had on hand and my dietary preferences and they are: I used brown jasmine rice, stewed tomatoes, bratwurst, omitted the salt, and added cumin and chili powder. By the way, with the brown jasmine rice I cooked it for 7 minutes and that was perfect.

    This is quite good tasting and may very well become a new favorite comfort food. Thank you for such a good recipe!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks for sharing your version! It sounds great!

      Reply
  14. Aimee says

    October 27, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    This is truly delish!! I followed the recipe pretty closely, except I removed the casing from a package of Costco Italian sausage and browned it in the pot, rather than slicing. Then I added the onion and garlic. I recommend a slightly longer cooking time. I used jasmine rice and it was slightly crunchy, so maybe 6-8 minutes would have been better than 4 (my pot defaults to 10 when using the rice function). Great flavor and super easy on a busy weeknight! Mine was 100% from Costco, which is also fun (onions, peppers, rice, better than buillion, sausage and sharp cheddar), so a good pantry meal.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:34 pm

      Nice! I love Costco!!!

      Reply
  15. Joan C Dwyer says

    October 27, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    Do u have a book on just slow pot cooking that’s not to expensive as I’m on a very limited income. I do keep all the individual ones that u post. Its just easier to have them in a book form.
    Thank you,
    Joan

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      Here is my first slow cooker book: https://amzn.to/3CEMVn3 *

      Reply
  16. Brenda Jessup Hill says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Hi Karen,
    I am making the cheesy sausage right now. I place the ingredients in order of the directions and didn’t stir it. I got the “food burn” message and checked and the rice is burned on the bottom. I transferred the sausage and rice to another pot and am cooking on low. Is there anything I could have done differently to avoid this?
    Thank you,
    Brenda Hill

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:38 pm

      Did you scrape the bottom of the pot after sauteeing the onion? Did you sprinkle in the rice, not stir it in. I’m assuming so. If that’s the case I am not sure why you got burn signal! What model of IP do you have?

      Reply
  17. scottjl says

    October 26, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    Was going to go out for dinner tonight when got the email with this recipe. Decided to try it instead. Simple. Quick. Tasty. Good starting point to explore with, might add some red pepper flakes next time, or celery, or other spices. Thanks for sharing this one.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 2, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      You are welcome Scott!

      Reply
      • Ysleta says

        March 16, 2022 at 2:03 pm

        What can be used in place of cayenne pepper cause myself and grandkids can’t do HOT 🥵 spicy

        Reply
        • Karen says

          March 19, 2022 at 10:00 pm

          I would just leave it out!

          Reply
  18. whit2432 says

    October 26, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    OK thank you. I didn’t think about that.

    Reply
  19. Ramona Giekes says

    October 26, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    I wish you would add what size pot you are using

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 26, 2021 at 4:06 pm

      6 quart

      Reply
  20. Helga Trish says

    October 26, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    This recipe with orzo pasta

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 26, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      Sounds amazing. I would only cook orzo for 1 minute

      Reply
      • Helga Trish says

        October 26, 2021 at 4:59 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
      • Ramona Giekes says

        October 26, 2021 at 10:11 pm

        Thank you ever so much for your prompt reply. I have been dying to try your recipes out. I do have one more question,. Are all your recipes in the 6 qt instapot.

        Reply
        • Karen says

          November 2, 2021 at 1:44 pm

          That is the IP I generally use to test recipes

          Reply
  21. whit2432 says

    October 26, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    Looks good! How would the settings & cooking time differ if I were using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 26, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      I would probably just make it on the stove if you are using riced cauliflower because if you try to pressure cook the cauliflower I think it will turn to mashed cauliflower.

      Reply
      • scottjl says

        October 26, 2021 at 5:38 pm

        mashed cauliflower wouldn’t be such a bad thing either., just different.

        Reply

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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