Description
A hearty one-pan meal with smoky sausage, tender rice, melty cheddar, and vegetables. This Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet delivers bold flavor and comfort with minimal cleanup, making it the perfect family dinner or weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
14 ounces smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Optional additions: 1 cup frozen peas, corn, or spinach
Instructions
Cook sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and cook 5–6 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté vegetables: Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Toast rice: Stir in rice and cook 2 minutes to lightly toast.
Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in broth and diced tomatoes. Stir in paprika, oregano, thyme, pepper, and salt.
Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook 18–20 minutes until rice is tender.
Return sausage: Add sausage back to skillet and stir gently.
Add cheese: Sprinkle cheddar over top. Cover for 5 minutes until melted. Stir lightly.
Garnish & serve: Top with green onions and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheddar for best melting.
Do not stir rice often during cooking to avoid gumminess.
Adjust seasoning based on saltiness of broth and sausage.
Add vegetables like peas or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / One-Pan
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Cheesy sausage and rice skillet, one-pan sausage dinner, easy sausage and rice recipe, skillet comfort food