Savory Italian Rice Bake - Rice a Roni Recipe

Ingredients

1 (6.9 oz.) pkg. Rice a Roni chicken flavor
3/4 lb. Italian sausage
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 sm. zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 clove garlic, minced
2 c. spaghetti sauce
1/2 tsp. basil, crushed
1 1/2 c. (6 oz.) shredded Mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare Rice a Roni mix as directed. Remove sausage from casing; crumble in 10 inch skillet. Brown sausage and onion; drain off fat, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet. Set aside. Add zucchini and garlic; saute over medium heat 1 minute. Cover; continue cooking over low heat about 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Combine prepared Rice a Roni, sausage mixture, 1 cup spaghetti sauce, and basil; spread into 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with zucchini. Pour over remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
You may substitute ground beef for sausage.