Add oil to a large non-stick sauce pan over medium heat. Sautée onions, garlic, pepper, and celery until onion is translucent
Add sliced sausage, bay leaf, and cayenne pepper. Stir for a few minutes.
Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and 1 3/4 cups of cold water (I used veggie low sodium broth). Gently simmer covered while stirring occasionally for about 5 min.
Pour your rice into the pan and stir well, bringing mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer covered for about 45 minutes to an hour until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Once ready, remove the bay leaf.
Taste ... add additional heat, garlic powder, or S&P as you wish!