Description
Jailhouse Rice is a comforting, hearty casserole layering ground beef, spicy sausage, aromatic vegetables, and creamy soups combined with rice, then baked to perfection. This classic dish is easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd with its rich, savory flavors and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 lb. hot sausage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 cups finely diced celery
Liquid and Soup Mix
- 2 (14.5-oz) cans chicken broth
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of celery soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of onion soup
Grains
- 2 cups extra long-grain white rice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 3-quart 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside for later.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef, hot sausage, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook the meat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is about half done and crumbled.
- Add Vegetables: Add the finely diced onion and celery to the skillet with the meat. Continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Do not drain the mixture; the juices will add flavor.
- Mix Soups and Broth: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cream of celery soup, and cream of onion soup until the mixture is smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble gently.
- Combine with Rice and Bake: Gently stir the uncooked rice into the bubbling meat and soup mixture. Pour everything into the prepared baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. If the mixture was allowed to cool before baking, you might need to add up to 15 extra minutes of cooking time.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest, still covered, for 15 minutes. After resting, remove the foil and fluff the rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains and distribute the ingredients evenly.
Notes
- Using hot sausage adds a spicy kick, but you can substitute with mild sausage if you prefer less heat.
- Do not drain the meat and vegetables after cooking; the juices contribute to the dish’s flavor and moisture.
- Covering the casserole tightly with foil ensures the rice cooks evenly and stays moist.
- Allowing the dish to rest after baking helps the rice absorb remaining liquids and enhances texture.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth and suitable creamy soup replacements.
