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. 

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This Instant Pot sausage and rice casserole is amazing!! With shredded cheddar cheese inside and melted on the top, yet another easy one pot meal just added to our list of 101+ Instant Pot recipes. Sponsored by Kroger. (affiliate links present)

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.

If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:

For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.

A white Instant Pot with a Star Wars theme sits on the kitchen counter, ready to tackle your favorite beef arm roast recipe. The digital display glows "On." Next to it lie a patterned cloth and some green onions, all against the backdrop of blue kitchen cabinets and a stovetop.

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.

instant pot sausage recipe
pressure cooker sausage and rice

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.

Frozen Sausage and Rice Instant Pot

If all you have is right out of the freezer you will need to steam them first. I would follow our how to cook frozen brats instructions minus 1 minute because it will be cooked longer inside the pot later. You just want to cook the insides so they are safe and can be sliced too.

  1. Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage – cut into half moons
    1. could choose andouille sausage for some heat
  2. Olive oil
  3. Onion
  4. White rice – uncooked, long grain
  5. Beef broth
  6. Frozen mixed vegetables
  7. Cream of mushroom soup
  8. Cheese – shredded sharp cheddar is best
  9. Garlic salt and pepper
  10. Cajun seasoning could be added for a bit of 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.

instant pot recipes

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. 😉

instant pot rice recipe

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!

instant pot sausage casserole

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!

instant pot casserole

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!

hillshire farm smoked sausage
instant-pot-sausage-and-rice
4.67 from 18 votes

Instant Pot Sausage and Rice

By The Typical Mom
Instant Pot sausage and rice is so good! A cheesy casserole packed with smoked sausage, tender rice and vegetables cooked all in one pot in no time at all.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 9 minutes
Servings: 6
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Equipment

  • 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients 

  • 1 pkg kielbasa, Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10 oz
  • 1 c mixed vegetables, frozen
  • 1 c white rice, uncooked, long grain
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2 c beef broth
  • 1 c cheese, sharp cheddar, shredded, more if desired
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste, keep in mind smoked sausage has a lot of flavor already in it so may not be necessary, add at end to taste

Instructions 

  • Put pressure cooker on saute and add olive oil. Then slice sausage into half moon pieces. Put these and your diced onion into your pressure cooker.
  • Cook just until sausage is lightly browned on the outsides. Then turn pot off. Add 1/4 cup of your broth into your pot and scrape with a wooden spoon to get any stuck on pieces off = deglazing your pot.
  • Sprinkle in all of your seasonings and your frozen vegetables.
  • In a bowl whisk together the remaining broth with your can of cream of mushroom soup until smooth, pour this into your pot.
  • Stir all contents together.
  • Sprinkle uncooked rice on to the top but DO NOT STIR. Just gently push down so it is submerged into the liquid.
  • Put lid on, close steam valve and set to high pressure for 9 minutes. Then allow to naturally release steam for 3 minutes before letting out remaining steam with a quick release.
  • Add in 1/2 of your cheese and stir gently into rice casserole. Allow to rest with lid off so it thickens for 10 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and place lid back on for 5 minutes so cheese melts. (even if you don't add extra cheese, let it sit for at least 10 minutes with lid off to thicken up)
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz, Calories: 289kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 1179mg, Potassium: 239mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1729IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 161mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American, german
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
instant pot sausage and rice

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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67 Comments

  1. Honestly we were shocked that it was so tasty because it was so simple. It’s a keeper!

  2. Used the recipe for insta pot pressure cooking time, wild rice turned out chewy and just the tiniest bit Al dente, maybe leave the lid on for 4 minutes of natural release but I was in a hurry to try it, it smelled so good! Cooked ground elk Italian sausage in coconut milk, beef broth and stewed tomatoes and mixed in a little yogurt at the end for the kids. I loved it, thanks!

  3. I like to add sliced mushrooms and sauté with the onions and sausage. This is super versatile and I’ve made it with diced leftover ham instead of sausage and added a variety of veggies. Super easy and a quick dinner. Also makes good leftovers for lunch.

  4. Love all of your recipes I’ve tried so far! This is the first one I’ve ever had an issue with. Followed exactly and deglazed after browning the sausage and onion and got a burn message. I dumped everything out of the pit and scraped the pot clean. Put it back in the pot with more broth and got it again. I was so mad!! I just took it and out it in a pot on the stove to finish it off. What could have caused this to happen?

    1. @Tammy, I had this happen too. I stopped putting the cream of mushroom soup in until the end. Since I did that I haven’t had the burn message.

  5. The possibilities are endless with the combinations you can use in this recipe! I used turkey sausage, chicken bone broth, the entire bag of frozen mixed veggies, and some freshly roasted jalapeno peppers. I added some Susie Q’s seasoning (Santa Maria style seasoning, perfect for EVERYTHING). I was super careful with my rice and it didn’t get completely cooked, but next time I will add a couple minutes. For now, I didn’t want to pressure cook again after I added the (extra sharp freshly shredded) cheese, so I threw it in the oven covered with foil to “steam” it a bit better before I serve it. I’ll add cheese on top before serving. Since I taste-tested… I can tell you, it’s AMAZEBALLS! Already thinking about the options for next time…