Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes»Italian Rice Skillet with Zucchini, Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    Italian Rice Skillet with Zucchini, Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    14
    By Alisa Fleming on June 16, 2016 Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Dairy-Free Recipes, Entrees

    Weeknight or weekend, easy meals are my deal. To be honest, I grew up on very simple comfort food, so even when I get the chance to trial a full-on culinary experience, I’m often underwhelmed and left craving something more basic … like this Italian Rice Skillet.

    Italian Rice Skillet with Zucchini, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Speedy Homemade Turkey Sausage - a healthy 30 minute meal! Dairy-free, gluten-free.

    Thanks to the year-round availability of zucchini, this Italian rice skillet can be enjoyed regardless of the season. However, it really is a nourishing treat in summer, when zucchini is at its sweetest and you can even sun dry your own tomatoes.

    I originally created a version of this Italian rice skillet recipe for Applegate Farms, using their dairy-free dinner sausage (note that one variety contains cheese). You can go with this shortcut route, but I’ve become a big fan of speedy homemade sausage using lean ground turkey. It’s so easy to mix up, is typically healthier, and adds that rustic, fresh appeal.

    Italian Rice Skillet with Zucchini, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Speedy Homemade Turkey Sausage - a healthy 30 minute meal! Dairy-free, gluten-free.

    Special Diet Notes: Italian Rice Skillet

    By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and generally top food allergy-friendly.

    For a paleo Italian rice skillet, swap in cauliflower “rice” for the rice. Steam cauliflower florets and finely mince or mince raw cauliflower and add it to your skillet a few minutes before the zucchini (more oil may be needed).

    For a vegan Italian rice skillet, you can skip the homemade turkey sausage and add your favorite vegan Italian sausage. We really like Neat Italian Mix (which is soy-free & gluten-free) and I’ve heard good things about Field Roast.

    Italian Rice Skillet with Zucchini, Speedy Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
     
    Print
    Prep time
    15 mins
    Cook time
    15 mins
    Total time
    30 mins
     
    To allow the flavors time to meld, I usually mix the spices with the turkey before putting the rice on. Alternatively, you can prepare the rice and mix the turkey with the spices (store it covered in the refrigerator) up to a day in advance. If you want to reduce the sodium, I recommend cutting the salt in the sausage to ½ or ¾ teaspoon, and using the range recommended in the instructions for seasoning at the end. That final touch of salt will have the biggest flavor impact.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Serves: 4 servings
    Ingredients
    • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon salt + additional to taste (see Instructions)
    • ½ teaspoon + ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dried fennel seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder or minced onion
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 lb lean ground turkey
    • 1½ tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
    • 1½ lbs zucchini, cut into ¼- to ½-inch thick half moons
    • ½ cup diced sun-dried tomatoes (drained if in oil)
    • 3 cups cooked (leftover) brown or white rice
    Instructions
    1. Place the Italian seasoning, parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, fennel seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and paprika in a spice grinder, and pulse several times to break up the seeds and seasonings and to combine.
    2. Place the turkey in a bowl and stir in the seasoning with a fork until well distributed, but do not over mix.
    3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic (if using) and saute for 15 seconds. Add the seasoned meat and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the turkey and garlic to a bowl using a slotted spoon (leave the juices / oil in the pan).
    4. Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the zucchini and sauté until it just begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes.
    5. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, followed by the cooked meat and garlic, and finally the rice. Saute everything together for 1 to 2 minutes, to coat.
    6. Season with the remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper and salt, to taste (I usually end up adding ½ to ¾ teaspoon).
    3.5.3208
    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    Dairy-Free Cinnabon Recipe - Copycat for those famous Cinnamon Rolls! Also nut-free and soy-free

    Dairy-Free Cinnabon Copycat for Tender, Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

    Dairy-Free Oreo Cookies Guide and news on Gluten-Free Oreos

    Oreo Offers The Most Dairy-Free Cookie Flavors

    Dairy-Free Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe - creamy, cheesy, rich, and fulfilling. Optionally gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Plant-based nd vegan-friendly.

    Dairy-Free Stuffed Mushrooms with Perfect Cheesy Creamy Flavor

    14 Comments

    1. Pingback: Easy Top 8 Allergen Free Meals, Sides and Desserts - MI Gluten Free Gal

    2. Pingback: Healthy Turkey Pasta Skillet Recipe: A Weeknight Dinner that Kids Love

    3. Heather Kinnaird on June 17, 2016 9:36 am

      I love the idea of making my own sausage, and this meal sounds perfect!

      Reply
    4. Kristen on June 17, 2016 8:25 am

      My mom would make a meal very similar to this growing up with squash from her garden. However, I am in love with your addition of sundried tomatoes!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 23, 2016 8:21 am

        Thank you! Yes, I like to use sun-dried tomatoes wherever I can in summer – they just seem to fit the season!

        Reply
    5. laura@motherwouldknow on June 16, 2016 7:42 pm

      I’m with you on simple comfort food – and this skillet rice and spiced turkey dish sounds perfect when comfort food is in order. Love the idea of making homemade sausage without the fuss of sausage casings.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 23, 2016 8:22 am

        Yes, we’ve become a bit addicted to making our own speedy sausage – it has a better texture and fresher taste. But it does benefit from seasoning ahead if planning.

        Reply
    6. Emily on June 16, 2016 2:02 pm

      This looks delicious, my husband and son would love this recipe! Definitely going to be adding to my dinner menu rotation!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 23, 2016 8:22 am

        I hope your family enjoys it Emily!

        Reply
    7. Laura on June 16, 2016 12:31 pm

      I’m going to leave out the turkey/sausage for a vegan version! Sounds like a great flavour combo!

      Reply
    8. RFC on June 16, 2016 10:09 am

      This looks delicious. And I could easily substitute a vegan sausage or vegan crumbles in this recipe to make it plant based!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 16, 2016 11:30 am

        Yes, definitely, then it is beyond easy! Be sure to use the seasonings though if just using crumbles.

        Reply
    9. Trainer Paige on June 16, 2016 9:31 am

      I only cook meals that take less than 30 minutes – and this one looks SO good! Pinning it for later 😀

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 16, 2016 11:30 am

        Ooh, I need to reference your recipes then – I like fast!

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Rate this recipe:  

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    Strawberry Love Muffins - Vegan Strawberry Muffins Recipe that's sweet, simple, and naturally dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free.

    Strawberry Love Muffins are a Simply Sweet Vegan Treat

    Guide to the Best Dairy-Free Valentine Chocolate: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Food Allergy-Friendly, Organic, Fair Trade & more!

    The Best Dairy-Free Valentine Chocolate To Give and To Receive

    Enjoy Life FoodsFames Chocolates. From Brooklyn with loveEat dairy free bookChocolate Emporium
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.