Sausage and Rice Skillet is a cozy, filling dinner that tastes like you worked way harder than you did. The sausage adds smoky flavor, the peppers and onions bring sweetness, and the rice soaks up every bit of seasoning. This one-pan meal is perfect for busy nights, and it’s a meal prep-friendly dish you’ll want to make again.

Intro

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If you love simple dinners with big flavor, Sausage and Rice Skillet is for you. Everything cooks in one pan, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax.

The standout step is toasting the rice for a minute before adding broth. It helps the grains stay separate, and it builds a deeper flavor so the whole skillet tastes richer. Sausage and Rice Skillet is also easy to adjust—keep it mild for kids, or add a little heat for spice lovers.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Rice Skillet

One-pan cleanup: Everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.
Cozy and filling: A hearty dinner that feels like comfort food.
Better than takeout: Browning the sausage builds big flavor fast.
Great for leftovers: Reheats well for lunch and meal prep.
Easy to customize: Swap veggies or adjust the seasoning.

Ingredients for Sausage and Rice Skillet

Main ingredients

Smoked sausage (14 ounces, sliced): Adds smoky, savory flavor and hearty bites.
Sub: turkey sausage or chicken sausage.
Long-grain white rice (1 cup, uncooked): Cooks fluffy and holds texture.
Sub: jasmine rice.

Veggies and aromatics

Bell peppers (2, diced): Sweetness and color.
Sub: any peppers you have.
Yellow onion (1, diced): Builds a savory base.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds bold flavor.

Sauce and seasoning

Tomato paste (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps color the rice.
Sub: 1/3 cup tomato sauce.
Low-sodium chicken broth (2 cups): Cooks the rice and keeps it flavorful.
Sub: vegetable broth.
Paprika (1 teaspoon): Warm flavor and color.
Cajun seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds a Cajun-style kick without a lot of work.
Sub: extra paprika + garlic powder + a pinch of cayenne if you like.
Dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon): Adds balance.
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon) + salt (to taste): Season as you go.

Finish

Chopped parsley (2 tablespoons): Bright, fresh topping.

Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe Step-by-Step

Four-panel collage of sausage and rice skillet steps from browning sausage to finished fluffy rice — Step-by-step collage showing browning sausage, cooking veggies, toasting rice, and simmering

1. Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until browned. Transfer sausage to a plate.
2. Sauté the veggies: Add onion and peppers to the skillet and cook 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Toast the rice: Stir in rice, tomato paste, paprika, Cajun seasoning, oregano, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring, until the rice looks coated and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
4. Simmer: Pour in broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom (that’s flavor). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
5. Cook until tender: Simmer 18 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. If the rice needs more time, add a splash of broth and keep simmering.
6. Finish: Stir the sausage back in and cook 2 minutes to warm through. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve.

Tips for Perfect Sausage and Rice Skillet

Brown the sausage well: Those browned bits flavor the whole skillet.
Keep the simmer gentle: High heat can scorch the bottom.
Don’t lift the lid: Let the rice steam so it cooks evenly.
Taste at the end: Broth reduces, so adjust salt after it’s done.

Variations & Substitutions

Add veggies: Stir in frozen peas or corn at the end.
Cheesy version: Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top and cover 2 minutes to melt.
Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or a few shakes of hot sauce.
Lower sodium: Use low-sodium broth and a lower-sodium sausage.

Storing & Reheating

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 4 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or water until hot.
Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat with a splash of liquid.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve with a simple green salad.
Add roasted green beans or broccoli for an easy side.
Great with cornbread on a cozy weekend.

Reader Review: One pan and my whole family loved it. The rice was fluffy and the flavor was so good.

If you make this Sausage and Rice Skillet, leave a rating and comment. Did you keep it mild or add a little heat?

Sausage and Rice Skillet – Best One-Pan Cozy Weeknight Dinner

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Author: Donald Anderson
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 5–6 servings 1x

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Description

This sausage and rice skillet is a one-pan dinner packed with flavor—smoky sausage, tender rice, and veggies in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
1 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
3 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen peas (optional)

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Instructions

Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high. Brown sausage 3 to 4 minutes.
Add onion and bell pepper; cook 4 minutes. Add garlic 30 seconds.
Stir in rice, broth, diced tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender.
Stir in peas (if using), cover 2 minutes, then serve.

Notes

Swap: Use turkey sausage or kielbasa.
Make-ahead: Reheats well with a splash of broth.
Tools: Deep skillet with lid.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main
Method: One Pan
Cuisine: American