One Pan <25 minute Lemon Basil Rice with Sausages Recipe aka my go to dinner recipe (with low energy and budget alterations!)

2-7 mins of actual cooking, ready in 25 mins or less! Makes 3-4 servings depending on your hunger level!

My friends have asked for this recipe I make all the time, and one of them mentioned posting online. I’m too scared to post a vid on tiktok but I can definitely write a recipe out! This is my current fav dinners and it actually tastes good as leftovers. I’ve included Low Energy Variations which I’m abbreviating to LEV. LEV are little shortcuts which don’t change the recipe all that much, you just might have a little less flavor but they save time and energy for when you don’t feel like cooking!

Note for Pan Size I use a 4 qt skillet. I wouldn’t advise doing this in less than a 12in pan but it’ll work. You must have a lid or some way to cover it. I don’t advise doubling the recipe because it can make stirring difficult. But if you use a pot instead of a pan I think it could work!

Ingredients

• 1/2 yellow onion diced (LEV: use frozen diced onion or see step 3)
• As much garlic as you like, I do 2 tsp of pre minced garlic.
• 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice
• 3 1/2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth *(this is a little less than a whole carton)
• 3-4 sausage links of your choice (I like trader joes Cheddar Chicken Sausages)
• 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice (I buy the squeeze bottles)
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 2 tsb of olive oil
• approx 2 handfuls of spinach (or whatever amount you want)
• 3 oz of gouda cheese (optional) I like adding cheese at the end. I usually buy the slices of gouda bc it’s the cheapest and cut the slices into 4 chunks. Use about 4-5 slices. If you’re feeling fancy get the real stuff. If you’re on a budget or dietary restrictions, use a bit of parm or cheddar, or skip this. I just love cheesy rice hehe Seasonings. I usually just measure with my heart but here are some approximations??
• 2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp pepper

Tight on budget? Here are some substitutes

• replace sausages with hot dogs
• leave out whatever seasonings you don’t already have in pantry
• Do half chicken broth and half water (for the amount of chicken broth in recipe)
• 1 or 2 of those soy sauce packets are about the amount you need
• use whatever oil you have on hand instead of olive oil

Get fancy w it- Some alterations if you feel like adding more effort which will give you even more flavor!

• substitute frozen onion with real onion, dice up about 1/4-1/2 of an onion! (Cut up before starting)
• substitute pre-minced garlic with fresh cloves
• Juice a real lemon, and add the zest for some added freshness
• chop up fresh basil instead of seasoning
• Add half a can of coconut milk for extra creaminess (about 3/4 cup and change broth to 2 1/4 cup instead) I always do this when cooking for a crowd. I skip when I am by myself. It does add a nice subtle flavor though

Instructions

1. Slice sausages. Add olive oil to a medium high pan. Add sausages and cook until crispy and brown on both sides. Once sausages are crispy, put on a plate for later. (personal tip: to save on dishes, put it in the bowl that you plan on serving yourself in later!) (LEV: heat sausages in microwave once rice is finished. Slice once cooked or just eat whole) Skip this step if you’re vegetarian
2. Rinse rice. I do this while sausage is cooking (LEV: skip this step. You’ll just have a tiny bit of starchy flavor and less fluffy rice)
3. Add Onions and garlic to pan. Fry until onions gain a little bit of transparency and mixture is fragrant (LEV: can skip this step, and substitute for some garlic powder later on).
4. Add rice to pan and spices. Stir to make sure all spices are evenly incorporated. Let rice get crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Bring to Medium low heat. Add chicken/vegetable stock, soy sauce, and lemon juice to pan and cover for 12-16 minutes. (add zest here if you’re being fancy w it)
6. Uncover and stir to get all the crispy rice off the bottom.
7. Add desired amount of spinach. Once spinach is wilted add back in sausages and optionally add in cheese.
8. Once cheese is melted and sausages are hot again, serve it up! Enjoy

I heat up leftovers for about a minute in the microwave.