Sausage and Rice Skillet

Few meals strike the perfect balance between comfort, convenience, and bold flavor quite like a sausage and rice skillet. This dish has everything home cooks love: one pan, simple ingredients, hearty portions, and a deeply satisfying taste that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day.

The sausage and rice skillet is a timeless recipe rooted in practicality. Across cultures and cuisines, cooking meat and rice together in one pan has long been a reliable way to feed families efficiently while maximizing flavor. In this version, smoky sausage meets tender rice, sautéed vegetables, garlic, and savory seasonings, all simmered together until perfectly fluffy and infused with richness.

What makes this recipe especially appealing is its flexibility. Whether you’re using smoked sausage, chicken sausage, or spicy andouille, the result is always delicious. It’s a dish that adapts to what’s already in your fridge and still delivers big, satisfying flavor with minimal effort.

This sausage and rice skillet recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, casual family dinners, meal prep, or even cozy weekends when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen. One pan means fewer dishes, faster cleanup, and more time to enjoy your meal.

---

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Rice Skillet

This recipe checks all the boxes for a dependable, repeat-worthy dinner.
It’s:

• One-pan and fuss-free
• Budget-friendly using pantry staples
• Customizable with different vegetables and seasonings
• Comforting yet balanced, with protein, carbs, and veggies
• Great for leftovers and reheats beautifully

The sausage provides richness and depth, while the rice absorbs all those savory juices as it cooks. The vegetables add color, texture, and freshness, making the dish feel complete and nourishing rather than heavy.

---

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 oz smoked sausage (sliced into rounds)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 2 cups chicken broth

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For Garnish

• Fresh parsley or green onions (chopped)

---

Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned on both sides. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
   In the same skillet, add onion and bell peppers. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Toast the Rice
   Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir well, allowing it to toast lightly for about 1 minute. This step enhances flavor and texture.
4. Season the Skillet
   Sprinkle in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to coat the rice and vegetables evenly.
5. Simmer
   Pour in chicken broth and return the sausage to the skillet. Stir gently, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
6. Cover and Cook
   Cover the skillet and cook for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
7. Rest and Fluff
   Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
8. Garnish and Serve
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions and serve warm.

---

Tips for Perfect Sausage and Rice

• Use long-grain rice for the best fluffy texture
• Avoid stirring too often while simmering to prevent mushy rice
• Adjust broth slightly if using brown rice or jasmine rice
• Let the dish rest before serving to allow flavors to settle

---

Variations and Add-Ins

This sausage and rice skillet is endlessly adaptable:

• Spicy Cajun Style: Use andouille sausage and add Cajun seasoning
• Chicken Sausage Version: Lighter but still flavorful
• Vegetable Boost: Add zucchini, spinach, or peas
• Cheesy Finish: Stir in shredded cheddar or Parmesan at the end
• Tomato-Based: Add diced tomatoes for extra richness

---

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish as a complete meal on its own or pair it with:

• A crisp green salad
• Steamed broccoli or green beans
• Garlic bread or crusty rolls

It’s filling enough to stand alone but pairs beautifully with fresh, simple sides.

---

Storage and Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth
• Freezes well for up to 2 months

---

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking the sausage first builds a flavorful base. The rice then absorbs the seasoned broth and sausage drippings, creating deep, savory flavor without extra effort. Everything cooks together in one pan, ensuring harmony between ingredients while keeping cleanup minimal.

This sausage and rice skillet is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again—simple, comforting, and reliable.