Cheesy Instant Pot Sausage and Rice

Instant Pot sausage and rice is so good! A cheesy casserole packed with smoked sausage, tender pressure cooker white rice and vegetables cooked all in one pot in no time at all. 

Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice

If you and your family love cheesy comfort food this is going to go on your meal rotation! Packed full of smoked sausage and grains, it’s an easy dinner both adults and kids ask for again. I just pick up a package of Kielbasa at the store and I have the rest to make this happen every single week. Like our Instant Pot Sausage Rice Casserole but with cheddar!

You can use other high pressure machines to make this too. IP is here but a Crockpot express or Ninja Foodi works the same way. For the latter you use the lid that is not attached. You just need to saute the meat and use high pressure with the rice and all of those have that.

Ninja Foodi Sausage and Rice

Can we talk about flavor for a minute here??!! This pressure cooker sausage and rice dinner is PACKED full of it. How?? Well, you can see where it came from below. Yep, smoked sausage. All you have to do is slice it into half moons and throw them right in. We’re all about easy meals here on The Typical Mom blog. 😉

You can see where I started here. Using precooked meat will make things a bit easier. I have used raw sausages before when making InstaPot jambalaya but it doesn’t slice as well with the casing. You have to spend a bit of time cooking that at the beginning too since pork needs to be cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Use whichever you prefer, even Italian sausages will work if that is what you love the most. How is it SO easy? Well, this Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (I bought at Kroger) is already fully cooked! That means you just need to warm it up a bit really. I like to saute it just a bit with a little olive oil and diced onions before throwing in all the other ingredients so it gets golden brown.

Cajun Sausage and Rice Instant Pot

It’s also packed full of traditional spices we all love in order to deliver exceptional flavor in anything it’s added to. Have you tried it?? I first used it to make my slow cooker cheesy potatoes for brunch and I just couldn’t stop there.

If you wanted to make this spicy I would do so now so it kinda’ bakes on to the meat. Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/8 of a teaspoon for a more medium heat.

You’ll start by sauteeing the first 3 items together to brown the outsides of your sausage pieces just a bit. This is not a necessary step, but I recommend doing it to get a bit of caramelization on the meat. Makes it so darn yummy.

Then you’re going to add in your vegetables, condensed soup and beef broth. You can do this two ways: I like to whisk the broth and cream of mushroom soup together in a separate bowl, and then pour that into my pot.

You could just dump it all in and stir together to remove the lumps too. I just think it is easier to use a whisk and smooth it out separately beforehand.

Don’t get me wrong, I have done it both ways especially when I’m in a hurry. It works no matter what. I just like to share my experiences with you and give you several options. 😉

What is important to know when making anything with white rice: Make sure you deglaze your Instant Pot after browning your meat. If you don’t you may receive the burn notice on the screen. You are going to use uncooked white rice. Long grain or Jasmine is my preference.

Rice casseroles cooked in a pressure cooker need to be layered with the rice sprinkled on top!

• It is important that you DO NOT stir all the contents after you add your uncooked rice.
  • If you do it will likely trigger the burn message, and will stick to the bottom which will be difficult to get off.
• Sprinkle it in when you add the rice on top of all your other ingredients.

Then just use a spoon to gently submerge it into the top of your liquid. Following this last direction will ensure that your Instant Pot casserole will come out perfectly every time!

Now let me share the basic steps to follow: First you’re going to add the oil and diced onions into your pot. Set to saute. A 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot or any brand of pressure cooker will work. Add the sausages cooking until browned on the outsides.

1. Pour a bit of your both into the pot and scrape any stuck on pieces off or your pot may say BURN when it’s preheating or cooking.
2. Turn your pot off and add your frozen vegetables. In a bowl whisk together your condensed soup and remaining broth until smooth. Pour that in too.
3. Sprinkle in your rice on the top and gently submerge into the liquid. Do NOT stir!
4. Close lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 9 minutes.
5. Then allow for a 3 minute natural release. Followed by a quick release
6. Take lid off, stir in half the cheese and let it rest for 10 minutes to thicken. Then add other half on top, put lid on and let it sit for 5 minutes to melt.

Yes!! The cooking time is just that fast! It thickens a lot as it sits too and is great the next day as leftovers. Just microwave in 30 second increments stirring in between to reheat it. Once it is done it’s time for LOTS of cheese!! Can you leave out the cheese? Yes, but ummmm it’s pretty amazing with it. Totally your choice really. Look at this spoonful!

Kielbasa Sausage Recipe

What can you serve with this Instant Pot sausage recipe? I don’t really serve anything with it but you could add:

1. More steamed vegetables
2. Sliced baguette
3. Rolls
4. Side salad

So what are you waiting for?? Head to your local grocery store and grab a package of Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage so you can make this Instant Pot recipe this week! Then try our Instant Pot beef stew casserole like this cheesy Instant Pot chicken broccoli rice dish.

They will have all the other ingredients there too, all you have to do is print the recipe below. Take it with you so you don’t forget a thing and let us know what you think!