5/23/18

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole)

A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1. JUMP TO RECIPE
  2. WHY IS IT CALLED JAILHOUSE RICE?
  3. RECIPE VARIATIONS

You’ve got to have pretty thick skin to have any sort of public presence on the internet. You’d think a leelittle ol' food blogger could share a few recipes without getting treated like a fallen Kardashian. But… you’d be wrong.

Social media has made people downright mean, y’all! I mostly just laugh at the stuff I get but I’ve had to stop sharing it with Husband because he gets UPSET when anyone messes with me.

After sharing a particularly nasty comment with him one night he walked so many circles around the living room I thought he was gonna cut a hole in the rug! He looked like Fred Sanford pausing and clutching his chest every third round or so.

Bless his heart.

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

WHY IS IT CALLED JAILHOUSE RICE?

One night I stumbled onto a pin of my original (old, excuse the photos) Sausage & Rice Casserole on Pinterest and saw that there were over a hundred comments on it.

On a pin?? What the what?! 

When I checked it out I saw that a full-blown debate had broken out. Someone commented saying the recipe looked like prison food.

Then another someone chimed in saying it was one of her favorite recipes and it was nothing like prison food.

And then another one joined in saying he’d been to prison and neither of them knew what they were talking about.

😐

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

It appears Pinterest was divided on that pin between those who thought the recipe looked awful (like prison food) and those who had tried it and loved it (and were defending it – bless them) with a sprinkling of ex-cons who, evidently, wished they had had some when they were in jail.

Lawzamercy.

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

I got a good chuckle out of it, even if I did go to bed scratching my head wondering why anyone would think a yummy casserole made with rice and sausage looked like something you’d eat in jail.

I had a house full of people coming over the next weekend and wanted to cook something easy so I decided to make a double batch of the original recipe, add a few tweaks, then have on the ready in case anyone wanted more substance than the nibbles I was serving.

And in honor of the Pinterest debate over the original recipe, I decided to call the big batch version Jailhouse Rice!!

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

VARIATIONS FOR JAILHOUSE RICE (SAUSAGE & RICE CASSEROLE)

I have tweaked the original recipe six ways from Sunday over the years, just using what I had on-hand. Three main components of the recipe are ground meat, broth and creamed soup which can be switched up dozens of ways. Here, see what I mean…

GROUND MEAT:

  • Sausage
  • Venison
  • Italian Sausage
  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork

BROTH:

  • Chicken
  • Vegetable
  • Beef
  • Turkey

CREAMED SOUP:

  • Mushroom
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Chicken
  • Broccoli
  • Broccoli Cheese
  • Asparagus

A FEW OF MAY FAVORITE COMBOS:

  • Sage sausage, turkey broth, cream of celery, cream of onion (great side for Thanksgiving!)
  • Italian Sausage, beef broth & 2 cream of onion PLUS Italian seasoning blend then top with parmesan cheese the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  • Ground chicken, chicken broth, broccoli cheese, cream of chicken PLUS frozen broccoli florets then top with shredded cheddar cheese the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  • Ground beef, beef broth, 2 cream of mushroom PLUS sliced mushrooms.
  • Ground pork, low sodium beef broth, 2 cream of celery PLUS diced water chestnuts and soy sauce (for a little Asian flare)

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

OTHER MAIN DISHES MADE WITH RICE

As most of you know, I looooove rice so I cook with it a LOT. Because of our proximity to the Low Country, my neck of the South cooks rice more than most. Here are some recipes I especially love - I hope you'll try some!

Southern Style Crock Pot Chicken & Rice - An easy slow cooker recipe for a Carolina favorite made with tender stewed chicken and long grain rice. 

Better-Than-Bojangles Dirty Rice - A copycat recipe for Bojangles iconic Cajun dirty rice, made with sausage and a favorite throughout Southern states. 

Carolina Chicken Bog - A one-pot recipe of rice, chicken and smoked sausage cooked in a flavorful stock made from slow-cooked chicken. 

Mediterranean Chickpea Rice - A hearty rice recipe with chickpeas (garbanzo beans) flavored with bacon, tomatoes, onion and garlic. 

Country-Style Ribs & Rice - An old-school Southern recipe made with rice cooked in a rich stock made from slowly cooked country-style pork ribs. 

Charleston Red Rice - A Lowcountry recipe popular from Charleston to Savannah, made from rice cooked with bacon and a tomato broth seasoned with peppers and onions. 

Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice - The ORIGINAL quick and easy skillet meal recipe for tender chicken scampi over perfectly cooked buttery, garlic parmesan rice. 

Recipe for Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole)

Jailhouse Rice (Sausage & Rice Casserole) - A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

Jailhouse Rice

Jailhouse Rice
Yield: 10-12 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M
A family-size comfort food casserole recipe baked with rice, ground beef and sausage.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 lb. sausage (I use 'Hot')
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups finely diced celery
  • 2 14.5-oz cans chicken broth
  • 1 10.5-oz can cream of celery soup
  • 1 10.5-oz can cream of onion soup
  • 2 cups extra long-grain white rice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 3-quart 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. Add ground beef, sausage, salt, pepper and garlic to a large skillet then brown and crumble over medium-high heat.
  3. When meat is about half cooked, add onion and celery then continue cooking until meat is cooked through and veggies are tender. Do not drain.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together broth and soups until smooth. Pour soup mixture into skillet, stir then continue cooking until everything starts to bubble.
  5. Gently stir in rice then pour everything into prepared baking dish dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil then bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. If mixture cools before baking, allow up to 15 additional minutes of cooking time.
  6. Remove casserole from oven and let rest, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove foil then fluff rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

  • I prefer Jimmy Dean or Swaggerty sausage with this recipe.
  • Use uncooked rice.
  • Use the condensed soup straight from the can - do not prepare first.
  • I don't know if this can be made with Minute rice or brown rice because I've never cooked either type of rice.
  • I don't know how this could be converted to a slow cooker recipe. 
  • You must cover the dish TIGHTLY with foil to ensure the moisture stays inside to cook the rice through.
ground beef, hamburger, sausage, rice, cream of, onion, celery, covered dish, soup, jailhouse, jail, best, recipe, easy, casserole, southern, dressing, jimmy dean, dirty rice
main dish, main course, potluck
american, southern
Keep up with my latest shenanigans by following South Your Mouth!


117 comments:

  1. I'm sorry that people acted so yucky! This is -- hands down -- one of my favorite recipes and is a staple at my house. I make a batch, partition half of it for lunches during the week and freeze half for another time. It freezes SO WELL. Love, love, love. Haters gonna hate ... eaters gonna eat! And then lick the plate clean. :P

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    Replies
    1. I'm getting that on a tshirt! Eaters Gonna Eat!

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    2. I have come up with a new favorite saying - "there is just some stupid you can't fix!". So keep blessing us Mandy - we appreciate you!

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    3. I have been making a variation of this for years! It is so versatile, Isn't it!?! Sometimes, I stuff it in Peppers, Zucchini, Tomatoes, or even Onion, etc. This is one of my "Go To" meals and one of my husband's Comfort Foods. Yum!

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    4. I don't know why anyone has to have a negative comment. If you don't think you'll like it, scroll by! I think it looks awesome! Making it real soon. Thanks for the recipe!

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  2. I swear, some of the comments I see on food blogs and also on pinterest just have me shaking my head and thinking "bless their hearts, they're too stupid to live".

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    1. LOL!!!! I couldn't agree more! I, personally, just don't get the evil that comes with being autonomous. I am sure glad I don't knowingly call any of them
      "friend".

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    2. Ain't that the truth !

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    3. Heard that with my bad ear..
      And I would definitely eat this!

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  3. My husband loves your casserole. It's terrible the way people act online. They should keep the mouth shut if they can't be civil.

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  4. I don't care what you call it, it looks and sounds YUMMY!

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  5. I made this the other day and it was yummy. As a matter of fact, i think i will go get some leftovers for lunch! Thanks Mandy!!

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  6. Love your blog-and bless your husbands heart.

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  7. Looks like my kinda grub! Can't wait to make it. Kinda like a bumped up dirty rice! Yummo baby!

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  8. Well darn, what's wrong with people? I have a crochet and knitting blog and they say mean things there as well. Just keep on keeping on we will win.

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  9. you just never mind those idiots that make bad comments, i think they only hear their own voice when they speak too. ive made your recipes and i think they are wonderful, remember the world is to full of idiots and they should be uploaded to another planet, would be much more peaceful here with out them.

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    Replies
    1. I do not believe that they even hear their own voice.

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  10. Well, I guess the good news is that you now have a catchy name, so it will get more hits??? I firmly believe social media has proven that there are a lot of mean, bored, and ignorant people out there. Just imagine all the time and energy wasted on negative comments, tweets, perfect gram photos, lives, FB in general, and so on. There's real life to be lived! And recipes to be created and made! And I can't wait to make this one!!!

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  11. This sounds like it could be one of my favorite recipes. Love the combinations and easy to fix and can fill up a lot of people. I enjoy your posts and hope you keep on sharing with us..Thank you

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  12. It's my opinion that people act like uncivilized jackasses when they can hide behind a keyboard and any old screen name. Ignore them. I've made more than my share of your recipes and have always been impressed. This looks good, and something budget-friendly to feed 5 kids. (I used to make something similar, and the kids all knew that it was a "financially challenged" week. The only difference is that I'd throw anything edible in it to make it stretch.)

    Keep up the good work! I'm a fan.

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  13. There are those who feel the internet has granted them the right to say the nastiest things because they can hide behind their computers. The little weasels wouldn't have the nerve to say such things in person. Cyber bullying in not just used by teenagers! Hopefully you know that so many of us appreciate your blog, your sense of humor and your recipes. Keep it coming, you bring back old times for this New Yorker who was raised by a southern cook.

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  14. Hi there,
    I am sorry people are so mean to you, and your recipes, that it makes your husband upset. Also, as a woman who served 12 months in prison (don't ask), this looks absolutely delicious to me. I certainly never saw anything like this where I was. Trust me! Anyway, thanks for the recipes and inspiration. I'm keeping out of trouble now, and really enjoy cooking.

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    Replies
    1. Keep on keeping on! Life is never perfect and neither are my favorite kinds of people :)

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    2. Hi, steemdup! I enjoyed your note. Keep on cookn'!

      Delete
  15. people only say all that trash because they can hide behind the computer screen. Truck drivers act all big and tough on the CB too. I make casseroles like this to eat in the truck every week where would we be without Campbell cream soups

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    Replies
    1. Have you tried Great Value [Walmart] creamed soups, they are very good and sooo much cheaper!

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  16. This is just straight-up comfort food! I applaud you for just rolling with the punches from your Pinterest experience. Keep the name! It's catchy and you have a funny story for it!

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  17. I really hate hearing this has been your experience. While I have never made this particular recipe (because my family is not a huge fan of rice dishes), I have made quite a number of your other recipes, again and again and again. You are my Go To for any recipe I'm looking to try. I work with a ton of young 20-somethings who ask me about cooking and I ALWAYS refer them to your blog because your recipes are 1. Delicious, 2. Dependable, 3. Easy, and 4. Economical. I'm glad you have developed a tough shell; however, I hope it contains some permeability to allow a little love in from your fans. Keep on cookin' girl!! (By the way, I came on here to double check for a Country Fried Steak recipe -- I think you just use your Fried Chicken coating, right? That's the best Fried Chicken I've ever eaten!!)

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    Replies
    1. Corey, you are my favorite person today!! Maybe for the week! I guess I need to put my cubed steak on the blog some day... I just season with salt and pepper, dredge in flour, then fry! I make the gravy with equal parts pan grease (about 1/4 cup) and flour for a dark roux then add water to make the gravy (season with S&P).

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    2. Glad I made your day!! I like the sounds of that gravy especially. I ended up using a recipe I've had since 2006 that I got out of a Southern Living. It calls for a mixture of flour and crushed Saltines (I nearly pulverize mine in the Vitamix). I made the cream gravy to go with it and my husband inhaled it. I would like a bit of darker gravy though -- definitely will go with your technique the next time. Hi, my name is Corey and I am Gravy Challenged.

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    3. Everyone screws their nose up when I say to use water but that's what I grew up using with cubed steak. For chicken, I usually like a milk gravy but, other than that, I just get the flour/oil brown with all those yummy pan bits then use water (sometimes broth if I have it handy).

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    4. Bless your heart Mandy! I am a rice lover too. I love the water gravy on it also. I love most rice recipes but also have seen some Yankees really spoil the recipe. I say keep it simple and folks will come!We also are garlic lovers! YUM to all of it! Poo on the unknown on line spoofers. It really is disgusting as to why the write this crap.You're a winner so pay no mind to these types!

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  18. Made this last night. Added two cloves minced garlic and used golden cream of mushroom soup. Everyone really enjoyed it. Next time I will add a bunch of sauteed fresh mushrooms. I enjoy your blog. Trolls suck.

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  19. Has anyone tried it with brown rice? I wasn't sure how much extra liquid I would need to adf for the rice to bake right.

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  20. I don't care what this dish is called...this looks so dang dee-lish, I am going to make some. And by the way, I agree with the ex-convict sprinklings, because I live with one, he would have loved to have had this while he was "away". Thank you for sharing and don't pay attention to the rude trolls. Tell them to start their own blog if they don't like what you share. Have a fab day!!

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  21. Omg so good. Great pot luck dish. Everybody loves catchy name "jailhouse rice". Love all your posts. Thanks mandy

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  22. Some people are such cowards. They hide behind the anonymity of the internet and spew their nastiness. Now, I admit this dish isn't the prettiest I've ever made, but it's surely tasty and among my "go to" recipes.

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  23. Love your recipes and your humor! Some people have such empty lives, probably due to their own behavior, that they actively search for opportunities to be mean to someone else. Pure spite and jealousy. Just keep on keepin' on, girl. Ignore them and let it be their problem.

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  24. Ill bet Aunt Bee made this for Otis while he was in for his weekly 24-hour sleep-it-off in the Mayberry jail! Looks yummy to me!

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  25. Well, I just had to laugh when I read your post about people's comments. I think you handled it perfectly by naming the recipe Jailhouse Rice!! What a great attitude you have and just because some people don't care for it, so what? There are plenty who do!

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  26. Mean people are going to be mean regardless. Almost always it’s a reflection of them, nothing to do with whatever their meanness is directed at.

    I just wanted to tell you that “jailhouse food” can be taken as a compliment. I know a couple of people who have been locked up quite awhile. When they got out they were eager to fix a spread. Something delicious they’d learned to make from what they were able to get from commissary. Seems the stuff they serve you from the kitchens is near poison but what you come up with in your cell can be quite a treat!

    This looks delicious and I’m eager to try it.

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  27. I don't think it's anything like prison food according to my Ex-husband, but I will definitely try this recipe. I does look delish! However I will need to use a different type ground meat & make my own creamed soup as I have to watch certain things in my diet, sodium & red meat specifically.

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  28. It looks plain yummy to me!

    As my daughter says..."internet breeds stupid" and I think she is right.

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  29. Ok, kind of nervous. Put this in the oven about 30 minutes ago, reread the recipe and realized I added French onion soup instead of cream of onion. Ugh, not sure what to do!! This looks so yummy, but I'm sad that I potentially messed it up with too much liquid. Help!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda! I've having a glitch with my comments (taking 12-24 hours to show on the site but I'm assured it's being fixed!). How did it turn out??

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  30. dang, that looks good! 'gonna try it soon.....and don't pay any attention to the idiot naysayers.....this is comfort food! the kind i grew up on and love to eat!

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  31. I just got around to reading this as we have been remodeling the house. As you may well know I don't post much but this post was a WHAT????Why do people gotta hate ? Geesh ... Life is too short for nasty,toxic (I know as I have inlaws that are haters of me & my daughters)...Karma is all I gotta say in life !!! Karma baby Karma ... Just smile and know you will get the last laugh and tell hubs not everyone is mean ...

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  32. I made this last night for dinner. I have to admitt to changing it a little. I have a son with celiac disease and cannot use cream of celery or cream of onion soup. So I used 2 cans of gluten free cream of chicken soup instead. It turned out GREAT. Everyone loved it and had second helpings. Thanks for the recipe Mandy!

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  33. Do you think this would freeze well if the batch was split? If so before or after the time in the oven?

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    Replies
    1. I've never frozen *this* particular dish but I can tell you that I freeze other rice dishes by spooning it into a gallon-sized zip-top freezer bag (or smaller for individual servings), squeezing all the air out, then freezing. Defrost completely then remove to a microwave-safe dish to reheat. Sometimes I sprinkle it with water before reheating to ensure the rice is nice and tender.

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  34. As a person who came a bit late to this recipe, and discussion, let me just say that the name intrigued me and is what made me click on the link. The recipe looks delicious and is on my food planner for next week. Cannot wait to try this!! The story amused me and I love the wonderful comeuppance you used Mandy in naming the newer update after what all those horrible rude people called your yummy looking dish.

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  35. My mom's recipe from 63 years ago:
    Saute 1 (or 2) lbs sausage. Pour off most grease. Add 3/4 C each diced onion & GREEN PEPPER and 1 C diced celery. Saute until veggies soften. Mic tog: 1 can CHICKEN w/RICE soup, 1 can cream mushroom soup, 1 C water. Combine all components AND 1 C BROWN RICE in deep casserole bowl. Cover tightly w/foil. Bake 1 hour @ 400 deg. Remove foil. Bake 1/2 hour longer. Optional: Add 3/4 cup cashews for last half hour baking.
    Rive seems to cook letter and stays moist in deep bowl casserole rather than in shallow 9 x 13

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  36. This reminds me of a recipe I made from a tea room. It also had waterchestnuts, mushrooms and onions and was baked inside of a pumpkin (a special variety). The savory mixture with strands of the sweet pumpkin was enough to make you have a moment in the corner by yourself! It was delicious!!!

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  37. This looks like delicious down home comfort food! It is one pot, meat, grain, veggies and also economical! Reminds me of what my Mommy would cook on super busy days with 7 kids and a hubby looking for a hot meal! Great post!

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  38. Our family LOVES the recipe!!! it's so easy to make but best of all it tastes delicious!! My daughters boyfriend who admits he's a picky picky eater loves it too!
    Thanks for a great recipe :)

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  39. I made this tonight! Used Green bell pepper instead of celery. Ground beef, chicken stock and cream of chicken soup. Tasted exactly like a philly cheese steak. All it needed was some shredded provolone!. Amazing recipe. Definitely going to be a weekly meal in my house.

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  40. First, this recipe is some kind of good! It makes so much that I can parcel it out to my kids for their own families during the work week. Second, I'm a retired teacher and developed a pretty thick skin but great husbands just don't like unwarranted criticism aimed at their wives, do they? My first thoughts are always "what would your mama think of you right now?" My mama was right when she said that you just can't buy class!

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  41. Hi Mandy,
    "I guess some people have never learned the old chestnut "If you can't say something nice...." Keep doing what you're doing - I enjoy reading your articles and recipes.

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  42. This is the kind of recipe I come to your blog for. Easy, simple ingredients, turned into something the whole family loves. This recipe earned its spot in the dinner rotation and is a staple amongst 2 of the pickiest eaters on the planet. Thank you! If this is prison food, I guess I'll have to get myself an orange jumpsuit because it's delicious.

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  43. Mandy, I have no idea why people have gotten so mean, and I wonder if it is
    because they think they are anonymous and can strike out at others to make
    themselves feel better. I don't know, but I just cringe sometimes at how vicious
    folks can be.....we'd be far better off being more appreciative of what others do
    for us, and being kind.

    PS: Thanks for all the great recipes, they are usually easy and tasty, and I am
    so happy with them...I have one in the oven now for supper....and the Jailhouse
    Rice will be next on my list, sounds delicious..
    My daughter supervises the kitchen in a max..security prison, and I can tell you
    this looks nothing like prison food and the guys in there would love to have food
    like this one...you have to laugh and go on...……..ignore'm, maybe the meanies will go away.

    Darlene

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  44. Mandy, it is a sad truth that people are nasty online. It is a wonderful truth that you do a fab job here and I have yet to make one of your recipes and have it fail. You rock! Trolls suck!

    Maggie

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  45. Do you think this would be okay cooked in a slow cooker. My daughters boyfriend is an EMT and wants to take to the fire station.

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure since I've never cooked it that way but if you try it, cook it on HIGH so the rice doesn't get too mushy. Good luck!

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  46. I live in Colorado and Cream of Onion soup is not available in any grocery store in my town. It must be a southern product. I am going to take another ladies advise and just use Cream of Chicken soup instead. You may want to change that ingredient so people aren't trying to run all over town to find something that no longer exists, at least in some areas of the country.

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  47. Please add "horse meat" on your list of meats so that it is "authentic" jailhouse food. LOL just for laughs

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  48. My husband and I were subject to some internet trolls a few years ago. You would think I learned not to read comments, but NO! This looks like all kinds of my favorites, and it's on my menu for this week. Based on the ingredients, I know it will be a favorite. Found on Pinterest, lol. Thanks for the delicious!

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  49. Soups on tell the critical people go hungry
    Good recipe 👍

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  50. This is tonight's dinner. This will be the 2nd time I've made it, and let me tell you I would eat this in a box, with a fox, here or there, pretty much anywhere!! It is SO GOOD! I do have to substitute for the Cream of onion soup. Just can't get it where I live. But Cream of bacon works just fine. Thank you for this recipe Mandy!

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  51. Mandy, I Think You’re My New Best Friend! People crack me up! I don’t Quit understand the ones that make negative comments on a recipe; “Too many calories, This will kill you (love that one), feed it to someone you don’t like! Being from South Louisiana, this reminds me of my Dirty Rice recipe, can’t wait to try this! Thank You! ❤️

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    Replies
    1. I always laugh when people give a recipe a 5 star rating when they didnt' make it... OR they change it COMPLETELY from it's written and then rate it low. Um... you changed EVERYTHING and wonder why you don't like it?!? really? LOL

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  52. love this, do you have any similar recipes that use Minute/Instant Rice (all I have on hand right now)?

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  53. So, I recently got out of prison... While this dish does look A LOT like one of the meals we were served there fairly regularly (one of the better meals, mind you), the ingredients tell me it will taste NOTHING like prison food. I think I’ll have to make it and see! I’m glad you’re able to laugh stuff like that off!

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  54. So you have to think the rudes who had negative comments never eat chili, Chinese food, spaghetti and ad infinitum. love the solution to call it jailhouse rice. Keep creating, I did the pinto beans recipe you have posted and Love it.

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  55. Thanks for sharing this recipe, i made it just like you posted and it was soooo delicious. I am lookingforward to trying the different variations you added as well. Love it and so does hubby! ❤️

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  56. My Mom used to make this dish for 6 hungry kids when I was young, she called it the Chinese Dish for whatever reason. So glad to have the recipe again, the only difference is she would put a packet of Knorr chicken noodle soup in it,fabulous!!

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  57. I’m gonna have to make this, it has 3 of my favorite things - sausage, rice and cream of anything soup �� never heard of cream of onion though, will have to look for that!

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  58. Just made this for the first time. I had to make a few changes. I used a red and green pepper instead of celery and minced garlic instead of powder. It's awesome, I'm a Georgia boy who's been living in N'awlins for the last 20 years and down here we love our rice. Next time, I think I'll make a Cajun version, using the Trinity (I'm blessed to live in a place where you can buy cartons of pre-chopped onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic) and Cajun seasoning. Thanks for sharing this with us. I'm loving this site.

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  59. Do you use breakfast sausage for this recipe? Like Jimmy Dean's, Owen's or Country Folks? That's usually the only kind of ground sausage I can find other than Italian Sausage.

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  60. After cooking the meat in a skillet and combining the rest of the ingredients do you think it could be cooked in a crockpot? Going to a potluck.

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  61. I get in troubled all the time for posting MY inions, which are just that, but I have never dogged anyone, unless it was extremely horrible, but never a food blogger, I live for new recipes, can't wait to see the rest of your recipes (just found your page). Keep your recipes coming!!!

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  62. I grew up eating (and still love) something very similar. We used sausage and instead of the creme of something soup used Alfredo sauce. Very yummy!!!

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  63. Love that you called this "Jailhouse Rice"! I've never been in jail as an inmate but I did work in a County Jail Clinic as a nurse so I've seen a lot of "Jailhouse" food! Believe me this does not look & more importantly does not SMELL like anything I've seen served in jail!! Also amused because I make a chicken tortilla soup that my husband, years ago, took one look & referred to it as "Prison Soup" & it's been known as that ever since. He has never been to jail or prison so obviously does not know what he's talking about!

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    Replies
    1. ROFL - I worked at a jail, too and they actually ate pretty well. :) I was snowed in for two days before and had to eat said jail food and it was good. No complaints. :)

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  64. I prepared as written then transferred the filling to halved, seeded bell peppers to prepare yummy stuffed peppers. It was A grand success!

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  65. Cream of Onion soup at Amazon.

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  66. Love the name of the recipe! It looks delicious and I know it will taste delicious. I happened to take out hamburger and hot Italian sausage last night as hubby wants something with both. Guess we know what I will be making for him! Will enjoy looking at your recipes which look to be home inspired.

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  67. Cream of Onion soup is hard to come by here. Suggestions for subs? Campbell’s has a French Onion soup though it’s not creamy... or maybe a different cream soup? Thanks

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    1. You definitely want a cream based soup, not a broth one. I'd get cream of mushroom instead if I didn't have Cream of Onion (can't say I've ever seen that one anyway).

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  68. THIS... is hilarious! I loved how the keyboard commandos can just come alive... and just cause of this... I've gotta make it ... just to settle the debate. I've never been IN jail but I worked at one so that has to count for something, right? :) lol

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  69. Looks yummy! Probably a dumb question, but if I wanted to make this using just ground beef as the meat... would I just use 2 lb of ground beef and leave all the rest of the ingredients the same? Or does it need sausage?

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    1. You can totally do that but you'll need to season the ground beef really well to make up for the flavor the dish will be missing from the sausage.

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  70. Made this recently and I also could not find cream of onion soup. Used Cream of mushroom instead which led to adding diced mushrooms tot he party as well. Hot sausage is a must IMO. Also added finely diced carrot, and frozen peas along with the onion and celery before baking. Great recipe to use as a basis for a ground meat/rice casserole. Thanks! Will definitely make again

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  71. I worked in a prison for 23 years, and trust me, they never served anything THIS GOOD...ever! Even for Thanksgiving and Christmas when they had better food they never got good comfort food like this. Making it for dinner tonight with some sweet potato biscuits and sweet tea! Yeah, I'm the awesome Mom!

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  72. I feel your pain with a pacing husband. I have one of those too. I USED to be married to one that could have cared less about me. Notice I say "USED". My second husband (26 years and counting) is a polar opposite of the first. Make me cry at your peril. I have a T-shirt that says you will disappear if you upset "MY BABY" and he's big enough to make it happen, he's 6'1" and weighs in at 220 lbs. Long as you don't hurt my feelings he's a pussycat. My children adore him and call him Daddy! My father adores him! Doesn't get any better than that.

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  73. We are trying this tomorrow with minute rice (can't find regular rice in stores). We will let you know how it goes. Ann

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  74. Mandy, we Made this tonight with 2 bags of Success Family Size Rice and 3 cans of broth and baked uncovered for the recommended time. It came out fantastically. Thank you for another great recipe. Ann

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  75. Found your wonderful site this week and have been reading for pure pleasure. Want to eat all you recipes and love your Southern Style! Please tell me where you got the snazzy fork in the photo. Looking forward to a long relationship. Be Blessed!

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    1. Welcome to the party!! I think I got that at World Market!

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  76. This recipe reminds me of dirty rice, except it's with white rice & nothing grain rice. Looks delicious! Question: Can you substitute the rice with riced cauliflower? I want to make this Keto friendly.

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  77. Hey Mandy,
    Thank you for this recipe and all your recipes. I appreciate all of your hard work and your blog. Some of your recipes are of dishes I once shared with my Grandmother when I was young. Since she passed I have lost a good number of the recipes and you have been one of my connections to these wonderful dishes. So, thank you for bringing these back to me and my family. Mandy you are an absolute God Send!!

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    1. Oh, thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!!

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  78. This dish is so Good! I added a can of water chestnuts (cut them in half) and it gave it a wonderful crunch but in no way changed the flavor of the casserole.

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  79. we had this casserole a lot when we were kids, just no sausage. We always called it Delish casserole!

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  80. Love this! Has anyone made with instant rice?! that's all I had tonight and cant remember if I used it last time or not. We will find out! I will update if it does not work as well. Thank you again for this amazing recipe! Love how I can change out the veggie and cream soups for a different flavor.:)

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  81. This is defenitly one of our new favorite recipes. I happened to have everything on hand ( except spicy sausage..I had to use regular) so I threw it together. It turned out absolutely perfect and my husband loved it! Next time I'm getting the spicy sausage for this recipe, because I could see how that would have made it even better! ❤ Thank you for sharing this!🙂❤❤❤

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  82. i have made the ground beef and cream of mushroom version of this for years and we always lovingly refer to it as dog food 😂 i think jailhouse rice sounds a bit more dignified!! it’s not the prettiest dish there ever was but it is comforting and filling!!

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  83. Can you sub the celery with onions or something else and maybe use celery salt for the flavor? I just hate the texture of celery.

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  84. Lobe this recipe, have made multiple times, turns out great everytime!

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  85. This is one of our favorite casseroles. I’ve been making it for years. I originally got it from my aunt back in the 70’s. She served it with chow me in noodles, but we prefer the thinner rice noodles. It is very versatile and it reheats very well.

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    1. I was a kid in the 70's and my mom made 'chow mein casserole' frequently. Your comment was a blast from the past, my mom has been gone many years. Her chow mein casserole was always a favorite. I've not tried this casserole dish yet, but reading the ingredients I can see how they are very similar, so I know I will really like this recipe as well. (Chow mein casserole has worcestershire sauce and chow mein noodles in it as well, and maybe some other differences). Heck, make this jailhouse dish, then shake a few drops of worcestershire sauce on a single serving and garnish the top with crispy chow mein noodles. Yum. I'll be making this recipe very soon. : )

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  86. I make a version of this sometime,but husband isn't a big fan but he's sooo picky.he eats most things but make but when I try a new thing it takes a couple of times of him having it to get used to it..I actually make mine with hamburger meat n I make my own white sauce n add mushrooms and onions bell peppers canned tomatoes drained and banana peppers,sounds weird but it's really good.n I'll crush up ritz crackers and add melted butter n bake...yum

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  87. Oops I mean soy sauce not worcestershire sauce in my comment above.

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  88. This sounds like something I would make in an instant. I too would put mushrooms and broccoli in it. I would also try it with zucchini. I would try to hide veggies in anything I cooked when I still had kids in the house.

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  89. Just because of all the comments, and I read most of them, I have pinned this and for sure will make this as it does sound so interesting, and in my personal and humble opinion, tasty.
    I visited you via WEEKEND POTLUCK #606
    I linked up this week with = Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus and Waffle Cone Flake Cheesecake Cones
    Come and join us Mon - Saturday at SeniorSalonPitStop as well as #WordlessWednesday #Photography Wednesday - Saturday. You will find the info under BLOGGING

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Hi there! While I’m not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven’t been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments.

I can tell you now 1) I have no idea if you can substitute Minute Rice or brown rice in my recipes because I’ve never used them and 2) If I know how to convert a recipe to a Crock Pot version, I will make a note about it (otherwise, I don’t know).

And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y’all! - Mandy