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Need a dinner recipe that is quick and easy? This is it! My Smoked Sausage & Rice One-Skillet Meal is one of my personal family favorite meals that is ready in 30 minutes! Juicy smoked sausage, tender rice, and colorful veggies all come together in one pan for a cozy, no-stress dinner.
You also need to try my other super easy one pot dinners like my Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta, One Skillet Pasta Primavera, or Baked Salmon and Asparagus for more easy weeknight ideas!
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
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!
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.
- Substitute chicken broth with beef broth or vegetable broth for a different flavor profile.
- 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
Bell peppers, onions, and peas are classics, but you can also add zucchini or spinach.
Smoked sausage can be made from ground pork, turkey, beef or a combination of meats and usually include a variety of seasonings. Polish kielbasa is made from ground pork or turkey.
Most smoked sausages are fully cooked, but it’s always best to check the package to be sure. If the label says “fully cooked” or “ready to eat,” you can simply heat it through. However, if it says “cook before eating” or “partially cooked,” you’ll need to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.
More Delicious Sausage Recipes
Main Dishes
One-Pan Smoked Sausage & Pepper Hoagies
Appetizers & Snacks
Crock Pot Sausage Cheese Dip
All Recipes
Crescent Roll Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Main Dishes
Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Sausage
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Smoked Sausage and Rice (One Skillet Meal)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice I use minute rice to save time!
- 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.
Good recipe everyone like it. I used leftover basmati rice and thru in a roughly chopped onion with the sausage and then added broccoli and added 1 tsp of Better than Bouillon with 1/2 hot water and added with the broccoli then added the rice and heated for 5 mins. Turned out delicious. Will make again.
So quick, easy and SOOO GOOD! Thanks so much!
Quick, easy and even my picky eater ate it all. Definitely one to save.
This was is a quick easy delicious recipe I added a can of diced tomatoes and a little chopped red pepper and used pre cooked minute rice it was so good my very picky granddaughter who literally hates every thing but chicken nuggets loved it served it with some homemade corn muffins now my family wants it all the time thank you ❤️😋😋
This dish is fantastic! Quick, easy and delicious. Like some others, I used cauliflower rice. I omitted the salt and pepper and didn’t miss it. There is enough for lunch tomorrow, as well. Thanks so much for a such a great addition to the meal rotation!
Being an old man, with tender/sore feet that cannot stand long on the tile floor of the kitchen, I cook very few dinner meals for my wife of 51 years and myself. She gets stuck with the bulk of the meal planning and almost all of the cooking. On those few occasions when I do try, (and she dares to let me try), the results are seldom remarkable, (at least not “remarkable” in a good way.}
I tried this recipe, for the first time, for dinner this evening. My sweetheart sincerely enjoyed it, and sent copies to family near and far away. That is her highest form of compliment !!
I enjoy this recipe. I make it twice a month. I add a lot of vegetables even shrimp to this recipe. Japanese curry sauce gives it a wonderful taste. Thank you!!
This was a good use for leftovers. I made it with elk summer sausage, kale instead of the broccoli, used a blend of Pepper Jack/Cheddar cheeses, and also sauteed up some onion and garlic. I think adding some black beans would be also be a great addition and will try that next time.
Great idea!!
I tend to worry about trying new recipes because I am not a great cook, and I have never cooked with sausage before. I tend to leave that up to my husband. He wanted to put it in some Kraft mac and cheese. I chose this recipe as an alternative, and it was not only easy, it was delicious!!
Super easy, super quick and my kids loved it! Also, I didn’t have brown rice so I subbed Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice chicken and herb flavor.
How do you think riced cauliflower would work in this dish instead of rice? A keto alternative.
I make it with riced cauliflower and its still wonderful!
Needed a quick meal and figured why not. Did not use instant rice I made it the old fashioned way. My daughter really liked it. Great quick meal
Could this be adapted into a freezer meal? I love it so much and I’d love to make it for new mamas, but need it to be freezer friendly. Thanks!
i only have frozen broccoli would that be okay?
Sure! Just thaw it first and drain any excess water.
Could I substitute brown rice for jasmine or white long grain?
My mom forgot broccoli so I’m doing carrots and green beans instead but can’t wait to try
Made tonight with what I had on hand. Small amount of smoked sausage and a small amount of ground and browned sausage to equal the amount called for. No broccoli so I used 1/2 bag of chopped spinach. Added an onion, a couple of carrots for color, instant brown rice. It was delicious! I baked some apples with raisins and brown sugar and it didn’t seem like a quick and easy dinner after all.
I always love hearing how people adapt the recipes – so glad it turned out 🙂
The formula you share is quite meticulous and easy to understand. I will learn to make this dish based on your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
fnaf world
I am so thrilled you found it easy to understand – I always want to make sure my recipes are accessible! Thank you for sharing!