Transform your dinner routine with this incredibly simple and delicious One-Pan Pesto Rice recipe! This all-inclusive meal brings together tender basmati rice, savory smoked chicken sausage, and a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables, all beautifully finished with a fragrant basil pesto sauce. Every component bakes together seamlessly in a single pan – yes, even the uncooked rice! – ensuring minimal hands-on effort and effortless cleanup. Get ready for a flavorful, wholesome dinner that practically cooks itself.

One-Pan Pesto Rice with Smoked Chicken Sausage: Your Ultimate Weeknight Meal

Are you constantly searching for satisfying dinner recipes that don’t demand hours in the kitchen? Look no further than this fantastic One-Pan Pesto Rice. Building on the success of our “Back-To-School Lifesaver” recipes, which celebrate the brilliance of oven-baked, one-pan meals, we’re thrilled to introduce a new flavor profile that’s just as convenient and even more exciting. This recipe embodies the ultimate easy weeknight solution, offering a complete meal – protein, carbs, and plenty of vegetables – all cooked in a single dish.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its sheer simplicity. Imagine preparing your entire family dinner with minimal prep and an oven that does most of the heavy lifting. For busy parents and anyone short on time, this is truly music to the ears. While the dish does require a decent amount of time in the oven, nearly all of it is hands-off. This means you can focus on other tasks, relax, or simply enjoy a quiet moment while your delicious Pesto Rice transforms into a comforting, aromatic meal, ready to be devoured.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pesto Rice

Crafting the perfect One-Pan Pesto Rice relies on selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital for achieving optimal flavor and texture:

• Basmati Rice: A Non-Negotiable Foundation
  For this recipe, basmati rice is an absolute must. We’ve experimented with various rice types, and only basmati consistently delivers the perfectly tender, fluffy grains that define this dish. Its long, slender grains cook evenly and absorb flavors beautifully without becoming mushy, which can happen with other varieties in a one-pan bake. If you don’t have basmati rice on hand, we strongly recommend waiting until you do, as substitutions will not yield the same delicious results.
• Smoked Chicken Sausage: Lean Protein with Built-in Flavor
  Any smoked sausage will work, but our top recommendation is smoked chicken sausage. It offers a lighter, healthier protein option without compromising on taste. Brands like Aidells® Italian Style with Mozzarella or Applegate Organic Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage (not sponsored) are fantastic choices, providing robust flavor and a wholesome profile. Since smoked sausages are already cooked, you eliminate concerns about internal temperatures, making your cooking process even more straightforward. Simply dice and add!
• Sun-Dried Julienne-Cut Tomatoes with Herbs: A Burst of Mediterranean Taste
  These often overlooked gems are flavor powerhouses. Opt for sun-dried julienne-cut tomatoes packed in oil with herbs. The herbs infused in the oil significantly amplify their flavor, reducing the need for additional seasonings. The julienne cut means no extra chopping for you, saving precious prep time. These tomatoes provide a wonderful savory, slightly sweet, and chewy texture that perfectly complements the pesto and rice, adding depth and complexity to every bite.

Deep Dive into Essential Pesto Rice Components

Beyond the core ingredients, a few other elements play crucial roles in the success of this One-Pan Pesto Rice:

• High-Quality Chicken Stock: The Flavor Amplifier
  The choice of chicken stock makes a significant difference. A high-quality, full-bodied chicken stock (not low-sodium) infuses the rice with rich flavor, allowing us to keep the seasoning minimal. We highly recommend Swanson® chicken stock for its consistent quality and depth. This flavorful liquid is key to ensuring your rice is not only tender but also packed with savory notes from the inside out.
• Freshly Grated Carrots: Moisture and Sweetness
  Resist the urge to use pre-shredded carrots from a bag. These tend to be dry, tough, and lack the vibrant flavor of freshly grated ones. Grating your own carrots on the large holes of a grater ensures they retain their natural moisture, which is absolutely crucial for the rice to cook perfectly in this one-pan method. The moisture from the carrots contributes to the ideal rice texture and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements of the dish.
• Fresh Pesto: The Vibrant Finishing Touch
  While discussed in more detail below, fresh basil pesto is the ingredient that truly brings this dish to life. Its bright, herbaceous, and garlicky notes tie all the flavors together, elevating the entire meal.

Unlocking Flavor: The Magic of Fresh Pesto

Pesto is more than just a sauce; it’s a transformative ingredient that provides the perfect aromatic and flavorful finish for our One-Pan Pesto Rice and chicken sausage. Its vibrant basil notes, garlic kick, and rich olive oil base create a harmonious balance that pulls all the dish’s components together. For the best results, we highly recommend using fresh basil pesto, typically found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, often alongside fresh pasta and gourmet cheeses. Rana’s® Basil Pesto (not sponsored) is a personal favorite for its exceptional quality and taste.

While fresh pesto might seem a bit pricier than its shelf-stable counterparts, its concentrated flavor means a little goes a long way. Plus, it has a decent shelf life, allowing you to use any leftovers to effortlessly enhance a myriad of other dishes. Incorporating fresh pesto adds an undeniable gourmet touch and unparalleled freshness that makes this Pesto Rice truly stand out. It’s an investment in flavor that pays dividends across multiple meals.

Mastering Your One-Pan Pesto Rice: Expert Tips

Achieving the perfect One-Pan Pesto Rice is straightforward, but a few key tips will ensure your dish turns out flawlessly every time:

• Generously Grease Your Baking Dish: The Secret to No-Stick Success
  Preventing your rice from sticking to the pan is paramount. Before adding any ingredients, make sure to generously spray your baking dish with cooking spray. This creates a non-stick barrier. Additionally, placing slices of butter evenly on top of the rice mixture before baking adds an extra layer of richness and helps create that desirable slightly crisp, buttery crust on the bottom without burning.
• Embrace the Slow Bake: Patience for Perfect Texture
  This dish is designed for hands-off cooking, and while the oven time is significant, it’s a crucial part of the process. Do not be tempted to rush the baking by increasing the temperature or reducing the time. Prematurely removing the dish or stirring too early can lead to unevenly cooked rice—some grains might be undercooked and hard, while others could become overly soft and mushy. Trust the process; the gentle, consistent heat of the oven is what allows the basmati rice to absorb the flavorful stock and cook to tender perfection.
• The Art of Resting: Essential for Fluffy, Distinct Grains
  Just like rice cooked on the stovetop, oven-baked rice benefits immensely from a resting period after it comes out of the heat. This step is non-negotiable for achieving fluffy, distinct grains rather than a sticky, mushy mess. By re-covering the pan with foil and letting it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes, you allow the residual steam to evenly distribute moisture, ensuring every grain is perfectly tender and separated. Once rested, a gentle fluff with a fork will reveal the ideal texture. Then, simply serve up this super-easy and incredibly tasty dinner!

Maximize Flavor: Creative Ways to Use Leftover Pesto

Don’t let any leftover fresh basil pesto go to waste! Its incredible versatility makes it a fantastic ingredient to elevate a wide range of dishes, adding a burst of herbaceous flavor to everything from quick pasta meals to elegant main courses. Here are some of our favorite recipes that ingeniously incorporate pesto, ensuring you get the most out of every jar:

• Pesto Chicken with a vibrant corn and bean salsa
• Pesto Vegetable Bowls served over fluffy couscous for a light and healthy meal
• Creamy Pesto Orzo with ground turkey, a delightful one-pot meal!
• Pesto Chickpea Sandwiches featuring sun-dried tomatoes and crunchy almonds
• Pesto Chicken Tortellini, an easy and flavorful 30-minute meal

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One-Pan Pesto Rice

By

Chelsea Lords

One-pan Pesto Rice is an all-in-one meal with smoked chicken sausage, tender rice, and loads of veggies, all baked in a basil pesto sauce. Minimal effort, maximum flavor!

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

55 minutes

Resting Time:

10 minutes

Total Time:

1 hour
20 minutes

Servings:

6
servings

Video

A video tutorial for this recipe would typically appear here.

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
  (glass or ceramic recommended)
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1-1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice (see note 1)
• 2-1/2 cups chicken stock or broth (see note 2)
• 2 cups grated carrot (from 2 medium-large carrots, see note 3)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 13 ounces Italian-style chicken sausage (diced)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (see note 4)
• 2 cups frozen peas
• Basil pesto (for serving, see note 5)
• 1/2 cup ribboned fresh basil (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Cut the unsalted butter into 6 equal slices and set them aside. Peel your carrots, then grate them on the large holes of a grater until you have 2 cups.
2. Add the uncooked basmati rice to the prepared pan, followed by the chicken stock, grated carrots, all the Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste (we recommend starting with 1-1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper). Stir all ingredients together with a wooden spoon until well combined and spread into an even layer. Evenly place the reserved butter slices on top of the mixture. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes. While the rice bakes, dice the smoked chicken sausage into small, bite-sized pieces (a good method is to cut each sausage in half lengthwise, then halve again, and then slice into small pieces).
3. After 40 minutes, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and take off the foil (keep the foil nearby, as you’ll need it again soon). It’s important not to mix or stir the rice at this stage. Evenly scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and diced chicken sausage over the rice mixture. Return the pan to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking for another 15 minutes.
4. Once the second baking period is complete, remove the dish from the oven. Again, resist the urge to stir the rice. Immediately cover the pan tightly with the foil once more and let it stand undisturbed at room temperature for 10 minutes. This resting period is critical to allow the rice to steam properly and become perfectly tender and fluffy, preventing it from turning mushy.
5. After the 10-minute resting time, remove the foil and add the frozen peas on top. Gently mix all ingredients together and lightly fluff the rice with a fork. If desired, stir in fresh ribboned basil (we recommend 1/2 cup for a burst of fresh flavor). Taste the rice and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir the basil through gently, then serve promptly. For an extra layer of flavor, add a generous scoop of fresh basil pesto atop each bowl and gently mix it in before enjoying your easy and delicious one-pan meal!

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Basmati Rice): Through extensive testing, we’ve found that basmati rice is the only variety that consistently yields successful results for this specific one-pan baking method. Other rice grains have given inconsistent outcomes, ranging from overly mushy to unevenly cooked. For the best texture and flavor, please stick to basmati.

Note 2 (Chicken Stock): The quality and flavor of your chicken stock are incredibly important for this recipe. We recommend using a full-bodied, flavorful stock rather than a low-sodium version, as it contributes significantly to the overall taste of the dish. Swanson’s stock is a reliable choice for its robust flavor profile.

Note 3 (Carrots): For optimal moisture and flavor, always grate your own carrots for this recipe. Packaged pre-shredded carrots tend to be hard, dry, and lack the inherent moisture that is essential for the rice to cook properly and evenly in the oven. Freshly grated carrots ensure the perfect texture for your Pesto Rice.

Note 4 (Sun-Dried Tomatoes): Select sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil; these are typically much more flavorful and tender than their dry counterparts. While they are usually small, giving them a quick, coarse chop with a knife or sharp kitchen shears will ensure they are distributed throughout the rice, allowing you to enjoy their sweet and savory bursts in every bite.

Note 5 (Basil Pesto): For the best flavor, we highly recommend using refrigerated, freshly-made basil pesto. You can typically find it in the grocery store’s refrigerated section, often near fresh pasta or specialty cheeses. Rana’s® Basil Pesto is an excellent store-bought option.

Storage: To maintain the best quality, store any leftover Pesto Rice and leftover pesto in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The rice will keep for 5–7 days. For longer storage, the rice can be frozen in an airtight bag or container. Only combine the pesto with the rice when you are ready to eat, as this preserves the pesto’s fresh flavor and texture.

Nutrition Information

Below is an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Serving: 1 serving
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Cholesterol: 64 mg
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Potassium: 373 mg
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Vitamin A: 10899 IU
• Vitamin C: 17 mg
• Calcium: 52 mg
• Iron: 2 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Individual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

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