Best 2 Warm Italian Rice Salad With Sausage And Romaine Recipes

Craving a hearty and flavorful Italian dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner? Look no further than this Warm Italian Rice Salad with Sausage and Romaine. This delectable salad combines the savory flavors of Italian sausage, tender rice, crisp romaine lettuce, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. With its vibrant colors and textures, this salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

The recipe starts with cooking Italian sausage until it's nicely browned and crispy. Then, long-grain rice is cooked in flavorful broth until fluffy and tender. While the rice is cooking, you'll prepare a simple vinaigrette dressing using olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs. Once the rice is cooked, it's combined with the sausage, chopped romaine lettuce, and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. The salad is then tossed with the vinaigrette dressing until well coated.

To elevate the flavor even further, the recipe also includes instructions for making a homemade Italian sausage seasoning blend. This blend combines aromatic herbs and spices like fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and paprika, giving the sausage an authentic Italian taste.

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, the recipe also provides instructions for making a meatless version of the salad using hearty mushrooms instead of sausage. The mushrooms are cooked in a flavorful mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs, creating a delicious and satisfying plant-based protein source.

Whether you choose to make the meat or vegetarian version, this Warm Italian Rice Salad is sure to be a hit. Its combination of savory flavors, vibrant colors, and textures makes it a delightful and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA SALAD

Italian Sausage Pasta Salad image

Provided by Ginny Leith Holland

Categories Salad Tomato Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Sausage Broccoli Zucchini Summer Bon Appétit New Jersey Small Plates

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3/4 pound sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups broccoli florets
1 medium zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup dry white wine
5 large plum tomatoes, seeded, diced
1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta, freshly cooked
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup drained chopped black olives
1/2 cup (about) purchased Parmesan cheese salad dressing

Steps:

Sauté sausage in heavy large skillet over medium heat until cooked through, breaking up with spoon, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to paper towels. Pour off drippings; add oil to same skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add broccoli, zucchini and wine; sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 4 minutes. Add sausage and tomatoes; toss until heated through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Add pasta, cheese, olives and enough dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE FRIED RICE

Italian Sausage Fried Rice image

I created this dish one day when I wasn't in the mood for anything I'd tried before. I used ingredients I had on hand. It's since become one of my family's requested meals.-Janet Wood, Windham, New Hampshire

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the rice, onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in the water, salt and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until rice is tender., Stir in tomatoes and peas; cover and cook 5-10 minutes longer or until peas are heated through.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh vegetables, flavorful sausage, and a good-quality olive oil will make all the difference in the final dish.
Don't overcook the rice. Cook it just until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, flavor, and texture to the salad.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. A little bit of rosemary, thyme, or oregano can really brighten up the flavor of the dish.
Let the salad cool slightly before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb the dressing.

Conclusion:

Warm Italian rice salad with sausage and romaine is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for a summer picnic or potluck, and it's also a great way to use up leftover rice. With a few simple tips, you can make this salad your own and enjoy it all summer long.