Make-Ahead Meals

Make-Ahead Casserole Meals

Smoked Sausage Gumbo Casserole

MAKES 12 TO 14 SERVINGS

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil divided
2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 cups rice
1 quart chicken broth
2 14.5-ounce cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 16-ounce package smoked sausage, sliced and cooked
2 cups frozen sliced okra
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish: chopped green onions fresh oregano leaves

Method

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and
bell peppers. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add rice; cook for 2 minutes, stirring
constantly. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook,
covered, until rice is tender, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a medium skillet, combine remaining 1/2 cup vegetable oil and flour; cook over medium heat,
stirring constantly, until roux is a caramel color, about 10 minutes. Transfer roux to
Dutch oven.
Add sausage, okra, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning, and garlic powder to
Dutch oven, stirring to combine. Spoon mixture into
prepared pan.
Cover with heavy-duty foil, and bake until heated through, 30 to 45 minutes. Uncover, and
garnish with green onions and oregano, if desired.

MAKE-AHEAD INFO: Spray a 4-quart freezer-safe baking dish with cooking spray. Follow steps 2 through 4. Spray a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover baking dish, sprayed side down, and freeze. To cook, preheat oven to 300°. Bake, still covered in foil, for 2 hours. Increase oven temperature to 350°, and follow step 5.
TWIST ON TRADITION: Loaded with okra, tomatoes, rice, and smoked sausage, this recipe brings the favorite flavors of gumbo to a convenient all-in-one dish. Vary the hot sauce to suit the preference of the recipient, and craft a pretty presentation with a tea towel, handwritten card, and notes for baking.