Italian Sausage, Rice, Zucchini, and Cheese {Freezer Casserole}

Here’s another freezer-friendly casserole that was probably stumbled upon via Pinterest. This is Foodlets.com‘s “most popular casserole recipe ever”. The claim had me sold. With layers of fresh zucchini, sweet Italian sausage (turkey or regular), Italian cheeses, and rice, the dish is gluten free and relatively simple to prepare.

I changed the recipe slightly, using sweet Italian turkey sausage instead of regular. You could also use chicken sausage (use vegetarian Italian sausage at your discretion). I also used an Italian cheese blend, instead of mozzarella and Parmesan. I figured it would be a little less expensive (one package of cheese instead of two) and have a little more Italian pizazz, thanks to the additional cheeses (e.g., provolone, Asiago, etc.).

The brown rice was cooked with chicken broth to ensure the rice does not dry out upon freezing and reheating. The chicken broth also adds flavor. You could easily use white rice.

I am not a nutritionist or dietician, but here are a couple of healthy tips I try to keep in mind when shopping for ingredients. I thought they may be worth your while, too. If not, carry on!

• Look for marinara sauces low in added sugar and sodium and those that contain no high-fructose corn syrup.
• Try to find a sausage without corn syrup or antibiotics and one that is minimally processed.
• Look for chicken broth that is lower in sodium.

Italian Sausage, Rice, Zucchini, and Cheese {Freezer Casserole)

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Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Course dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 5

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage (regular or turkey)
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 2 cup brown rice, cooked
• 2 zucchini, cut into strips (think lasagna noodles)
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz. package)
• 2 cup chicken broth (use to cook rice)

Instructions

 

• Cook brown rice, replacing water with chicken broth. Once rice is cooked, stir in oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Brown sausage and drain if needed; then add marinara sauce.
• Coat bottom of 9"x13" casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil and a thin layer of marinara sauce.
• In order, layer the following: zucchini, rice, cheese, and turkey sausage.
• Repeat layers until all ingredients have been used (note; leave enough cheese to add as the last layer). If desired, sprinkle with a little more pepper, salt, and oregano.
• Let cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap and foil to freeze.
• To bake, thaw in refrigerator over night. Remove plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Remove cover, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until warmed through and cheese is golden and bubbly.

Keyword freezer friendly, gluten free, pork, turkey sausage