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Sausage and Rice Skillet

Sausage and Rice Skillet

The Sausage and Rice Skillet is a flavorful, comforting one-pan meal that combines seasoned sausage, fluffy rice, and vibrant vegetables for a quick, easy, and hearty dinner perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal cleanup and versatile ingredient options, this dish offers a satisfying taste and warm, home-cooked feel.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Meat

  • 1 lb sausage (Italian, smoked, spicy, or your choice)

Grains

  • 1 cup long grain white rice or brown rice

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 12 bell peppers, diced
  • 23 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or diced tomatoes

Spices and Oil

  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust for heat)
  • 12 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sausage: Brown your choice of sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor development.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the rice, coating it well with the sausage and vegetables mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, mixing thoroughly to combine flavors.
  4. Season and Simmer: Add paprika, black pepper, and cayenne to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
  5. Fluff and Serve: Once the rice has absorbed the liquids, fluff gently with a fork to evenly combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired, then serve hot.

Notes

  • Use a heavy-bottom skillet for even heat distribution and to prevent burning.
  • Don’t skip browning the sausage to develop rich, caramelized flavor.
  • Toast the rice briefly in the oil before adding liquids to enhance aroma and texture.
  • Adjust broth quantity slightly based on the rice variety used.
  • Let the skillet rest covered off heat for 5 minutes after cooking to allow even rice finishing.
  • For vegetarian options, substitute with plant-based sausage and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage skillet, rice skillet, one-pan dinner, quick dinner, easy skillet meal, gluten-free dinner, weeknight dinner