A meal that cooks in one tray is always a big hit for me. I love cooking but hate the dishes.. This Sausage, Pea, Carrot and Rice Tray Bake brings that idea to life with very little effort. It feels hearty, simple, and perfect for any day of the week.
At first glance, the dish looks warm and inviting. The carrots soften as they cook and add a gentle sweetness. The peas bring small bursts of freshness, which lift the overall flavour. As the tray bakes, the rice absorbs the liquid and turns soft and fluffy.
The sausages drive the flavour in this dish. They release rich juices as they cook, and those juices soak into the rice below. This process gives every bite a savoury depth without needing extra ingredients. A drizzle of oil helps everything cook evenly, while salt and black pepper sharpen the final taste.
This dish also stands out for its ease. You place everything into one tray and let the oven handle the rest. You avoid juggling pans or standing over the hob. This approach suits busy evenings, yet it still delivers a proper home-cooked meal.
Texture plays an important role here. The rice turns tender while it absorbs the liquid. The carrots soften but keep their shape. The sausages brown on top and form a light crust. Each forkful offers a mix of soft and slightly crisp elements, which keeps the dish interesting.
This tray bake fits many situations. You can serve it straight from the dish for a relaxed family meal. You can also plate it neatly with a simple green side for a more complete dinner. It feels generous without needing anything complicated.
The ingredient list stays short, yet the result feels complete. Oil, salt, and pepper bring balance and help the natural flavours shine. These small additions make a clear difference without adding extra work.
With minimal effort and familiar ingredients, you can produce a dish that is both comforting and reliable. It is the kind of meal that fits easily into everyday cooking and quickly becomes a favourite. This dish is perfect for mid week panics!

Sausage, Veg and Rice Bake
Equipment
- Large roasting tray or ovenproof dish
Ingredients
- 8 large pork sausages
- 250 g long grain rice
- 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
- 150 g peas fresh or frozen
- 1 large onion sliced
From the larder:
- 1 tbsp oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 600 ml water or stock
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan 170°C).
- Add the rice to the tray and spread it out evenly.250 g long grain rice
- Scatter the sliced carrots, peas and onion over the rice.2 medium carrots, 150 g peas, 1 large onion
- Pour in the water or stock, then add the oil.600 ml water, 1 tbsp oil
- Season lightly with salt and black pepper.Salt, Black pepper
- Place the sausages on top of the mixture.8 large pork sausages
- Cover the tray tightly with foil.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil and return to the oven for 20 minutes until the sausages are browned and the rice is tender.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.


24 comments
Rice texture was spot on, not mushy at all
Great weeknight dinner, really simple but full of flavour. The rice soaks up all the sausage juices perfectly and nothing felt bland at all
Sausages on top came out nicely browned and the rice underneath had loads of flavour
Comforting and warm, exactly what you want on a cold evening
I added a bit more seasoning at the end but otherwise really solid
Perfect tray bake for midweek cooking. Minimal effort and good results
Kids enjoyed it which is rare for anything with vegetables
Surprisingly tasty for such a basic ingredient list. The carrots add a nice sweetness and the peas keep it fresh
Everything cooked evenly which I didn’t expect from one tray
Would definitely make again, especially when I don’t feel like cooking much
Sausages could have been a bit more crispy but still tasty
Not restaurant food but that’s not the point, it’s home comfort cooking
Good portion sizes, fed four people easily
Great budget meal. Stretching simple ingredients into something proper
Easy to follow and very forgiving if you’re not an experienced cook
The carrots cooked down beautifully and gave the dish a natural sweetness
Really filling meal. You don’t need anything else with it
Good comfort food. Nothing fancy but it does exactly what you want on a busy evening
Ok the kids loved this so its a big win win in my house. Definitely making again and again.
Family loved it. Clean plates all round and very little washing up afterwards which is always a win
I wasn’t sure about cooking rice in the oven like this but it worked really well. Everything came out soft and well cooked
Peas worked really well and stopped it feeling too heavy
A bit plain looking but the taste makes up for it
Simple, reliable and actually quite satisfying overall