Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 5-1/2 cups chopped broccoli ((~1 lb.; 6 ounces or 2 very large heads))
  • 1 large yellow onion, (very thinly sliced)
  • 1 package (12 oz.) smoked Italian chicken sausage (Note 1)
  • 2 packages Ready Rice/Microwaveable Packaged Rice, 8.8 oz each ((or 2 cups cooked white rice))
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 cup (3 oz.) cheddar cheese, (extra-sharp (or sharp))
  • Optional: fresh parsley, fine sea salt and pepper

Instruction

  • PREP: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set out a very large (I use a 15×21-inch sheet pan) or 2 smaller sheet pans. Cut the broccoli into small florets (bite-sized), thinly slice the onion, and coin the chicken sausage thinly. Combine the seasonings: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I add 1/2 teaspoon of each; I use fine sea salt here, so if you are using table salt you'll want a lot less.) Stir the seasonings together and then remove 2 teaspoons of the seasoning and set aside.
  • ROAST: On the large sheet pan, add the broccoli, onion, and chicken sausage. Drizzle on 1/4 cup olive oil and add all the seasonings except the 2 teaspoons you set aside. With your hands, toss to generously coat everything and then spread in an even layer, leaving plenty of space for the veggies to roast. (If they're overlapping they will steam instead of roast and take a lot longer to cook.) Add the tray to the fully heated oven and roast for 13-15 minutes.
  • ROAST RICE: Meanwhile, without opening the 2 rice packets, knead and break up the rice with your hands to remove any clumps. No need to microwave or prepare the rice in any other way! Alternatively, use add 2 cups cooked rice. Remove sheet pan from the oven and add the rice and reserved 2 teaspoons seasoning mix right on top. Toss everything together with a large turner/spatula, spread in 1 even layer, and return to the oven for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, grate the cheese.
  • ADD CHEESE: Remove from oven, toss everything once more and taste for any additional seasoning, adding extra salt/pepper if desired. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over everything. Return to the oven for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • ENJOY: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and use a large spatula to serve from the sheet pan to plates (or go at it right off the sheet pan -- no judgment here! :)