Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Since I’ve gotten back into a more consistent workout routine (even bought myself a yoga mat – so official!) I’m naturally paying more attention to what I’m eating, which is just another benefit of regular exercise. Feel good, eat good!

Specifically, I’ve been attempting to eat more vegetables, and lower non-fruit and vegetable carbs lately (emphasis on TRYING – this eggless cookie dough will be the death of me.) Not only because it’s always a good idea to eat more plants, but also because I recently learned that gluten-free diets that are high in rice can lead to unhealthy levels of arsenic and mercury in the body over time. Seeing as how we eat a ton of rice in our family, and many of the gluten-free crackers and pastas we buy are rice-based, this was a disturbing discovery.

Like I always say, everything in moderation, and of course I’m not going to completely ax rice from our diet, but it’s in everything from my favorite gluten-free flour, to the popped potato chips I can’t get enough of, and the pizza crust we eat every Friday, so it was a wake up call to continue to be mindful about what we’re buying and eating.

That said, if there’s anything I’ve learned about having to go gluten-free, it’s that there’s a hack for that! Need to reduce rice consumption? Want to increase your vegetable intake? Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice to the rescue!

You guys, this recipe is SO good and simple, as I harnessed the power of the almighty sheet pan to make it. Sheet pan dinners are all the rage in the food world right now and it’s easy to see why. For this recipe all you have to do is toss bell peppers and onions with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings on a half sheet pan then roast for 20 minutes. Add chopped, Italian-style smoked sausages then roast for another 10-15 minutes. I can’t wait for you to hear, smell, and taste the caramelized peppers and onions, and sizzling sausages that are scooped over savory Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice. The sweetened onions and red pepper? Savory sausage? Fluffy cauliflower rice? I can’t even! This dish is so addicting.

Now, if you’ve never had cauliflower rice, or more importantly think you hate cauliflower, TRY CAULIFLOWER RICE. This requires a shout because it’s one of nature’s greatest hacks. All you do is grate cauliflower with a food processor’s grating blade or a box grater – or, even easier, buy a package of cauliflower crumbles from the store – then saute until tender. I’ve had reader after reader make my Cauliflower Fried Rice then tell me their family members had no idea they were eating cauliflower and not rice. BaHA! Seriously though, the cauliflower taste is masked by whatever you flavor the dish with and it cooks in half the time as rice.

Last thing about this dish – it reheats really well and leftovers really hit the spot for lunch. I would know – Ben’s not a peppers and onions guy, so I got to eat this meal for lunch three days in a row. Know what I say? LUCKY ME! Get your sheet pans ready – let’s do this!

Start by lining a half sheet pan with foil then spray with nonstick spray. Add 1 large red and green bell pepper, and 1 yellow onion that have been sliced thin to the center then toss with 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables into an even layer then roast for 20 minutes at 425 degrees. Stir the vegetables then add 12oz Italian-style smoked sausages that have been cut into hunks and roast for another 10-15 minutes, or until the sausages are heated through and the vegetables are tender.

These are the sausages I used – LOVE Aidells sausages! You could use raw pork sausage links if you like – those should take 15-20 minutes to roast whole on the sheet pan.

When the sausage and peppers have 20 minutes left to roast, start the Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice. Cut 1 small head cauliflower into big hunks then send them through a food processor fitted with the grating disc. Alternatively you could hand grate the cauliflower with a box grater, or buy a bag of frozen riced cauliflower.

Measure out 4 cups of the cauliflower “rice” then save the rest for another use – I only had about 1/4 cup leftover from 1 small head which is perfect to add to soups, meat sauce on spaghetti night, taco meat, hashes, etc.

Heat 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat then add 3 cloves minced garlic and saute until golden brown, about 1 minute. Add the cauliflower rice then season with salt and saute until crisp-tender, 10-12 minutes. Finally, add 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese then stir to combine.

All that’s left to do is scoop the cauliflower rice into bowls then top with the sausage and pepper mixture and devour! I hope you love this easy and satisfying sheet pan dinner recipe – enjoy!

Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice

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gluten free

5/5 (4 REVIEWS)

Description

Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice is simple and packed with healthy vegetables. This gluten-free dinner recipe is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

serves 3-4

• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded then thinly sliced
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded then thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• 12oz Italian-style smoked sausage links, cut into hunks
• 1 small head cauliflower (or 1 bag frozen cauliflower rice)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees then line a half sheet pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Add bell peppers and onions to the center of the sheet pan then drizzle with 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss with your fingers to coat then spread into an even layer. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes then stir and add sausage hunks, and then roast for an additional 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender and sausage is heated through (or cooked through if using raw sausage.)
2. Meanwhile, chop cauliflower head into large florets then send through a food processor fitted with the grating attachment. Alternatively you could grate the cauliflower on a box grater. Measure out 4 cups grated cauliflower then save the rest for another use.
3. Heat remaining Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat then add garlic and saute until golden brown, 1 minute. Add cauliflower then season with salt and saute until tender, 7-10 minutes. Add parmesan cheese then stir well, and then taste and add more salt if necessary.
4. Scoop Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice onto plates then top with roasted sausage and peppers, and then serve.

Notes

• I used Aidells Italian-Style Smoked Sausage. If you want to use uncooked Italian sausages, you can roast them whole for 15-20 minutes.
• You could use a package of cauliflower crumbles instead of grating your own.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.