Healthy Recipe: Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

There aren't too many recipe that I remember my mom making when I was little, but this version of Red Beans and Rice with Sausage is one of them.  The simple, 4-ingredient meal isn't just tasty, it's very affordable, filling, and can be low fat and high in fiber, as well!

To create this version, you'll need the following ingredients (all available at Walmart):

• 2-3 cans of Great Value Red Beans (Kidney beans are also delicious!)
• Hillshire Farms Lite Smoked Sausage
• 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic
• Your choice of converted rice, brown rice, couscous, or barley
• Olive oil, optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

To begin, you'll want to peel and dice your garlic cloves.  The MORE garlic you use, the better this dish will taste, and the less salt you'll need.  I like 2-3 BIG cloves, and I use a garlic chopper to do the job.  You will also want to start the rice (or other healthy starch) at this time.  Use enough for one serving per person in your family.

Saute the garlic in a little bit of olive oil on medium-high heat.

If you don't want to add oil to the meal, just wait to saute the garlic when you add the sausage to the pan.  You will need to slice the sausage into "coins" first. 

Once the sausage is warmed through (or when you see some nice color on one or both sides), you can add the beans. 

At least one can of beans should NOT be drained of its juice (which is mostly water, some broken up beans, sugar, and salt).  I use one can with juice for every 3 for a saucier dish, and then I don't have to add extra salt, either.  Allow the mixture to simmer over medium heat until the beans start to "split".  

The rice should also be done by now.  You can choose to add it into the mixture and let it absorb some of the flavors for 5 minutes, or simply serve the mixture over the rice, like below.

This is one of my family's favorite meals.  We serve it with a side of green veggies, and everyone asks for seconds!  Make a double batch of the beans and sausage for freezing, and you'll have an extra meal when you don't feel like cooking!

(Included in Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday's Table, and Try a New Recipe Tuesday)


As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I've received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.