Johnsonville Sausage 6 Ingredients or Less Challenge Makeover Recipe!

I made this recipe up for the Johnsonville 6 Ingredients or Less challenge - and it was definitely quick and easy, and it was tasty, but not great. The tomato soup and chili powder were a little lacking in my opinion. I love the idea of this one, but think it needs something other than tomato soup for the base - I'm not quite sure what though! The flavor of the sausage is wonderful, so it doesn't need a whole lot in the flavor department, just something that would complement. Maybe some diced tomatoes in place of the condensed soup. I think using shredded cheese would also work better for this than the processed cheese slices - just personal preference!

Ground Sausage, Rice, and Cheese adapted from CAMIMCC  on AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

1 cup white rice                              

2 cups water
1 pound ground Italian sausage                                
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
1 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
8 slices processed cheese (or use 1 cup shredded cheddar)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook rice with water, according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile cook ground sausage over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. When meat is cooked, drain excess grease.
4. Mix in tomato soup and chili powder and combine.
5. When rice is cooked, layer half of it in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish, layer half of the meat mixture over top. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheddar or lay 2 slices of cheese atop this layer.
6. Add remaining rice, meat mixture, and then top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes.                                                

Have to end this with our little Lindsey - just about 7.5 months and visiting her Nana and Papa in the mountains.