I can’t decide what to call this recipe, but I can tell you why I decided this would be a perfect make-ahead meal to freeze for Baby D’s arrival. It fits all the criteria I was searching for:
- Vegetables– a whole bunch of ‘em- check!
- Healthy Carbs– brown rice- check!
- Flavorful so Hubbs will eat it-pepper jack cheese!- check!
- Protein– turkey sausage- check!
Southwestern Sausage and Veggie Casserole
(from Eating Well)
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain brown rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups diced zucchini
- 2 red or green bell peppers, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese, divided (I used a little more)
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces turkey sausage, casings removed
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese , (Neufchâtel) (I omitted this)
- 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bring the broth to simmer on the stove. While things are heating up, chop your veggies.
Stir together the zucchini, onions, peppers, salt, rice and broth in a 9×13 baking dish.
Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
Remove foil and continue to bake (uncovered) for 35-45 minutes until all broth is absorbed into the rice and the veggies are tender.
Meanwhile…
Whisk together milk and flour in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to thicken (3-4 minutes).
Then reduce heat to low and stir in half the pepper jack cheese and corn.
Once the cheese is melted, cover and set aside.
In a pan, crumble and cook your sausage until no longer pink.
Once the rice and veggie base has fully absorbed all the broth, remove from oven.
Stir in the cheese sauce and sausage. Mix well.
Top with remaining pepper jack cheese and sprinkle the jalapenos on top.
At this point, I let the casserole cool, covered it with plastic wrap and stuck it in the freezer.
You can do the same, or if you want to eat it right away, return the casserole to the oven for about 10 minutes, then serve!
Though we haven’t tasted it yet, Hubbs said it looked so good and I had to swat his hand away to keep him from dipping a tortilla chip right into the middle of the casserole.
I guess it would made a pretty tasty dip, too 🙂
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
…I’ll let you know on twitter if Baby D decides to arrive 😉
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well says
Yum! This does look great! I’m jealous that you have enough freezer space to put the whole dish in there 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Shayla @ The Good Life says
Mmmm what a tasty looking (and sounding!) casserole. I’m always looking for easy, bulk meals as this so that we have leftovers for the hubby’s lunches. This will be on my list to try, thanks! Good luck if Baby D decides to arrive!! 🙂
thehealthyapron says
THis looks fantastic!!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Have a great weekend Brittany!
This looks delicious — one of these days I want to make a bunch of freezer meals and I think this one will have to make the list!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I don’t think I would have been able to put that in the freezer. [I would have needed to eat it right away!]
Paulina says
That looks delicious! I don’t cook much, but I want to make some meals ahead of time too. My husband is really picky about onions and if I put them in anything, he won’t eat it. Can you suggest some other veggie that might work instead? Or maybe I’d just skip them altogether.
Brittany says
I think it would be fine to skip them all together, especially because there are so many other delicious veggies in it. However, it’s one of those dishes you could add anything too- yellow squash, diced tomatoes, etc.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Koda is too cute!
Smart thinkin’ on the already prepared foods! I’m sure those will be SUPER handy.
Melissa says
Looks delicious- and perfect timing, I have been researching casseroles and cook ahead meals in preparation for Baby C, who should be arriving in about 6 weeks! Also a perfect balance of enough veggies (for me) and enough flavor and protein for us both, but for my husband to be happy and satisfied also. Question- is the brown rice cooked before baking? (sorry if this is obvious- I’m a bit of a cooking newbie)
Brittany says
The brown rice goes into the oven uncooked, but since it bakes for so long, it will come out nice and cooked!
Leslie says
I have made this several times and it is sooo good. I actually took it to a friend who had a baby and she asked me for the recipe. Enjoy!
Jen says
Looks great, Brittany! I guess I need to rearrange my freezer before the baby comes so I can do this, too 🙂
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
Looks delicious AND I could easily make it vegetarian! Not sure if it would make it to the freezer tho 🙂 Happy weekend!
Maria says
Genius! I would have had it right away… with some blue tortilla chips!
Roz says
Have a great weekend Brittany! Koda looks so cute in that photo.
Kiah says
Looks good! I’m all about yummy freeze-ahead meals 🙂
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
I love rice casseroles with veggies! My mom used to make them all the time. Crossing my fingers Baby B is with you very, very soon!!
Baking Serendipity says
I haven’t made a casserole in so long. Stupid summer heat pushing me outside to grill. This looks so comforting. I would have had a hard time putting it in the freezer without stealing a bite or two as well 🙂 Thinking of you and Baby D often (though I haven’t commented as much as I used to). Hope the last bit of your pregnancy and delivery go well 🙂
sarah@spinach and spice says
healthy, flavorful, freezer friendly?! girlfriend you covered it all in this 🙂 love it!
Allison @ PickyEatingRD says
Your puppy is the cutest! I haven’t made a casserole style dish in so long. Hopefully all your close friends and family are taking note of your freezer meals and are ready to deliver them to you upon Baby D’s arrival!
Ali says
Made a batch and 1/2 today to bring to a friend who is expecting any day and enough for me and my husband to have for dinner tonight (and leftovers sometime later this week!). Recipe got rave reviews from the husband during dinner tonight! I made some with chicken sausage and some with shrimp. It also could be made veggie using veg stock and adding in black or pinto beans. Thanks for the great recipe!