Pizza Rice

This pizza rice recipe comes from Taste of Home reader Teri Schloessmann of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it’s a lifesaver when your family’s craving pizza but you have zero interest in waiting for delivery or making dough from scratch. It’s a true one-skillet meal that comes together fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Even better, it’s a naturally gluten-free way to get your pizza fix without missing a thing. It delivers all the classic flavors of a meat lovers pizza—savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, Parmesan and herby tomatoes—in a cozy, spoonable bowl. You can also customize your “pie” with sliced olives, mushrooms, fresh basil, shredded mozzarella or any of your other favorite pizza toppings.

Pizza Rice Ingredients

• Italian sausage: Italian sausage does a lot of the heavy lifting in this recipe. Since it’s already seasoned with herbs and spices like fennel, garlic and Italian seasoning, it gives the rice all those classic meat lover’s pizza flavors without any extra work on your part.
• Canned diced tomatoes: Look for diced tomatoes seasoned with basil, oregano and garlic for an instant boost of pizza-inspired flavor. If you only find plain diced tomatoes, stir in a pinch of Italian seasoning or a mix of dried oregano, dried basil and garlic powder (or a clove of fresh minced garlic).
• Cannellini beans: Since they’re high in both protein and fiber, cannellini beans help make this one-pan dinner even heartier and more satisfying. They have a creamy, slightly meaty texture that blends right in with the sausage and rice.
• Instant rice: Instant rice is the secret to getting this dinner on the table fast. It cooks up perfectly tender in just five minutes, soaking up the savory flavors of the tomatoes and sausage.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan melts right into the hot rice, adding salty, nutty flavor that pulls all the pizza-inspired ingredients together. You can grate your own Parmesan in seconds by popping a wedge into a food processor or blender and blitzing it until it’s powdery. Freshly grated cheese melts the smoothest, but the shelf-stable kind will work in a pinch.
• Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni are ideal here because they deliver a little pepperoni pizza–like flavor in almost every bite without overpowering the other ingredients. If you’re using regular slices, simply quarter them before scattering them over the finished dish.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the sausage

In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until it’s no longer pink, about five to seven minutes, breaking it into bite-sized crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease, then return the sausage to the skillet.

Step 2: Assemble the sauce and simmer the rice

Add the diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, instant rice and 1-1/2 cups water to the skillet, stirring to combine them. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet and remove it from the heat. Let it stand for five minutes so the rice can absorb the liquid and finish cooking.

Editor’s Tip: Resist the urge to peek under the lid while the rice rests. Keeping the steam trapped inside the skillet is the secret to fluffy, evenly cooked rice.

Step 3: Finish it with cheese and pepperoni

Fluff the rice with a fork, then add the grated Parmesan and stir until it’s melted and creamy. Top the skillet with the mini pepperoni. If desired, add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a little extra pizza-parlor flavor.

Pizza Rice Variations

• Change the cheese: Replace the Parmesan with shredded mozzarella, provolone or an Italian cheese blend. If you really want this skillet to look like a pizza, sprinkle mozzarella over the rice before topping it with the pepperoni.
• Switch the protein: Italian sausage delivers the most pizza-like flavor, but you can easily swap in ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken instead. Just add a pinch of Italian seasoning, since those meats aren’t already seasoned like Italian sausage.
• Add your favorite pizza toppings: Pepperoni and sausage are just the beginning. Stir in cooked bacon, sliced black olives, diced ham, fresh basil or sauteed mushrooms to customize your pizza rice and make it just like your favorite pie.
• Load it up with veggies: Take inspiration from veggie pizza and saute diced bell peppers or onions with the sausage, or stir in a handful of chopped spinach just before serving. They’ll make the skillet even more satisfying without taking away from those classic pizza flavors.
• Turn up the heat: If your family likes spicy pizza, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild, or finish the skillet with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. For even more heat, toss in a few sliced pickled jalapenos.

How to Store Pizza Rice

Let leftover pizza rice cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits, making leftovers perfect for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners.

Can you freeze pizza rice?

Freezing pizza rice wouldn’t be my first choice. The rice and beans can become soft and a bit mushy after thawing, so the texture won’t be quite the same. Since this recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, it’s best to enjoy it fresh or as refrigerated leftovers.

How do you reheat pizza rice?

To reheat pizza rice, warm individual portions in the microwave until they’re heated through, stirring halfway if needed for even heating. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the rice and prevent it from drying out. Finish it with a little extra grated Parmesan or mozzarella. And a little extra cheese never hurts!

Pizza Rice Tips

What kind of rice works best in pizza rice?

Instant rice is the best choice for this pizza rice recipe because it cooks quickly and absorbs the liquid in just a few minutes, bringing this skillet meal together fast.

Regular long-grain, jasmine and brown rice won’t cook the same way, since they need more liquid and a longer cooking time. If you want to use a different rice, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and the amount of water to ensure it cooks properly.

Can you make pizza rice vegetarian?

Yes! To make vegetarian pizza rice, simply skip the Italian sausage and pepperoni, and load up on extra veggies instead. Saute chopped mushrooms, bell peppers and onions for a savory, pizza-inspired base. You can also crumble in plant-based sausage or top the rice with vegan pepperoni for a similar meaty texture.

What can you serve with this meat lover’s pizza rice skillet?

Pizza rice is one of those hearty skillet meals that can totally stand on its own, but it also pairs well with simple sides like crisp Caesar salad, Italian salad or roasted broccoli. For an extra-cozy meal, add garlic knots or breadsticks on the side for scooping up every last saucy bite.