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When weeknights get hectic, this Smoked Sausage and Rice One-Skillet Dinner is the ultimate lifesaver. Sliced smoked sausage (or kielbasa) is browned to caramelized perfection, then tossed with tender broccoli, fluffy cooked rice, and melty cheddar cheese—all in a single pan! Ready from start to finish in just 30 minutes, it delivers maximum flavor with almost zero cleanup.
Why This Recipe Works
Combining sliced smoked sausage, crisp-tender broccoli, cooked rice, simple seasonings, and shredded cheddar, this complete dinner cooks in one skillet in just 30 minutes. With only 10 minutes of hands-on prep and minimal cleanup, it delivers a hearty, balanced family meal using affordable pantry staples.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners: Need more quick, family-friendly meals? Check out our reader-favorite John Wayne Casserole, Crockpot Chicken and Noodles, or browse our full collection of easy dinner ideas and One-Pot Meals.
Why you’ll love this one-skillet meal!
I have a very busy, active family so we don’t always have the luxury of sitting down together for dinner, but when we do, this is one of everyone’s FAVORITE smoked sausage recipes! It is so simple to put together but is hearty, flavorful and feels special, even on a regular weeknight.
If you try my smoked sausage and rice skillet, I know you will fall in love with it and add it to your weekly dinner rotation. I think I’ll make it tonight, too!
- One skillet, minimal cleanup: Everything cooks in a single pan, which means fewer dishes and an easier evening.
- Family-friendly flavors: Smoky sausage, tender rice, and simple seasonings make this a hit with kids and adults.
- Quick and filling: This is a complete meal—protein, carbs, and veggies—all in one.
- Great for leftovers: Reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why you’ll love this one-skillet meal!
- Ingredients for Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet
- Kasey’s Tips
- Variations
- How To Make This Smoked Sausage Recipe With Rice and Broccoli
- Storage and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Delicious Sausage Recipes
- Smoked Sausage and Rice (One Skillet Meal) Recipe
Ingredients for Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet
The perfect smoked sausage and rice is just 30 minutes away! Here is what you will need:
- Smoked sausage – If you have Hillshire Farms sausage at your local store, this is my favorite! You can also use Italian sausage or chicken sausage.
- Broccoli florets – Cut broccoli into small bite size pieces. They’ll also cook faster.
- Instant rice – Instant rice is the fastest option which I prefer for quick weekday meals. You can also make my Instant Pot Rice which turns out perfectly every time.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – This is optional, but it adds amazing flavor!
Kasey’s Tips
- Sear the Sausage First for Maximum Flavor: Skipping the initial browning step leaves the dish bland. Searing the sausage slices in a hot skillet for about 5 minutes renders out flavorful fats and creates caramelized browned bits on the bottom of the pan that season everything you stir in after.
- Use Cooked Rice: This recipe calls for rice that is already cooked, so it only needs to heat through in the skillet. Leftover rice, instant rice, or a pouch of microwave rice all work, and white or brown rice are both fine. Cold leftover rice holds its shape especially well.
- Cut the Broccoli Small: Small, bite-size florets steam through in the 5 minutes under the lid. Larger pieces will still be crunchy when the rice and cheese go in, so if you like softer broccoli, give it a couple of extra minutes before adding the rest.
- Sausage Swaps: Standard smoked beef sausage, turkey kielbasa, or spicy andouille all work here. Turkey kielbasa is a great lean option that holds its shape nicely, while andouille adds an extra kick if your family loves Cajun flavors!
Variations
This smoked sausage recipe is highly versatile and can be customized to suit your tastes. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try:
- Use different types of smoked sausage, such as chicken sausage or turkey smoked sausage, to change up the flavor.
- Toss in frozen peas or corn for extra color and flavor.
- Swap the broccoli for diced bell peppers, green beans, or cauliflower florets, or use a mix of your favorite veggies.
- Add some heat to the dish with red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos.
- Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter version.
How To Make This Smoked Sausage Recipe With Rice and Broccoli
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil until melted. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until sausage begins to brown.
- Steam the broccoli: Add the broccoli and cover. Reduce heat to low and cook about 5 minutes more – stirring occasionally.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, garlic powder and onion salt to the skillet.
- Serve: Enjoy this smoked sausage and rice skillet while warm!
Storage and Reheating
To enjoy your smoked sausage and rice for days to come, follow these storage and reheating tips:
- Refrigerating: Store the cooled dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to keep it away from strong-smelling foods, as it can absorb odors easily.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth. You can also add some diced tomatoes or red pepper flakes to give it an extra boost of flavor and freshness.
- Freezing: Simply place the cooled smoked sausage and rice in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! The recipe is written with cooked brown rice, and cooked white rice works just as well. Since the rice is already cooked before it goes in the skillet, swapping one for the other does not change the cooking time at all.
This recipe uses rice that is already cooked, so if it seems hard or dry, the rice was likely undercooked to begin with or dried out in the fridge. Make sure the rice is fully cooked before it goes in, and if it is on the dry side, stir in a splash of water or chicken broth and cover the skillet for a minute or two so it can steam.
Yes! Allow the cooked meal to cool completely, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water over medium-low heat.
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Smoked Sausage and Rice (One Skillet Meal)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound Smoked Sausage sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil and let the butter melt.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until sausage begins to brown.
- Add the broccoli and cover. Reduce heat to low and cook about 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked rice, garlic powder and onion salt to the skillet.
- Stir well.
- Add the shredded cheese, stirring well until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Slice the sausage evenly: This ensures it will all cook at the same rate.
- Use a large skillet: You’ll be adding a lot to it and you’ll want room to stir without ingredients falling out of the pan!
- Swap in white rice if you’d like: Since the rice is already cooked, it won’t change the cooking time at all.
I’m a bit confused, opening paragraph says loded with sausage, peppers and cheese.
I didn’t see peppers in the ingredients. I will still be trying this tonight, but without peppers.
So sorry for the confusion! The recipe card is the one to follow – it’s smoked sausage, broccoli, cooked rice, and cheddar, no peppers. That intro paragraph is out of date and I’ll get it fixed. If you’d like peppers, you could saute some sliced bell pepper with the sausage. Hope you enjoy it!
I’m really excited to add this back into our weeknight rotation now that it’s back-to-school season!
Wouldn’t you need to add water so the minute rice can cook in the same skillet?
She said that it should be pre-cooked
Can I use frozen broccoli?