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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.
I am a bit puzzled – it’s called one skillet nut one really needs a second pan to cook the rice…..
So fast, easy and great tasting. I used minced garlic in place of garlic salt and added 1/2 c of chicken broth like someone else mentioned. Will keep this as a go to recipe when needing something fast and filling.
Thank you, Janet! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Sorry to hear this, Ruth, but we appreciate the feedback! You can, of course, always adjust the seasonings to suit your preferences. 🙂
I enjoyed this recipe, but I added a few things and increased others. I had grated carrots, so added about a cup of those with the broccoli. I used 2 cups of cooked brown rice using boil in bag rice…and increased the seasoning amts and cheese to reflect the larger additions. It turned out great!
Thank you for the feedback, Debby! We’re so glad you were able to make it work for you.
Made it done good for first time cooking it
I’ve made this recipe using cauliflower rice and it’s so good!
Yum! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Miranda!
Delicious and simple to make!
I used wild rice.
Thank you, Joyce!
Enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much. It was quick, easy and delicious!
I made this and the original recipe is great. It’s a keeper! although I tweeted to fit my families likes and what I had in the cupboard. I added a coarsest chopped onion when I was browsing the sausage, used frozen broccoli, 90 sec rice packs, and add chicken broth. My kids like sauce. It’s is so fast an easy and tastes good. Thank you for the recipe!!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! As it was very dry, I added one can of cream of chicken soup and one can of water. Very, very good and filling 😋😋😋
I think it was Hickory Farms that had their own store at the mall with the samples.
I’ve made this before and bookmarked it. I am making it again tomorrow. I made it exactly as written but this time will substitute 1/2 tsp of onion powder as I am out of onion salt. We love this recipe and it is in the rotation. Comfort food at its best. Thanks for this tasty dish.
How would I make this meal in a crockpot? Thanks in advance!
I love this. Just think it’s a little dry
After adding the rice, the seasoning I thought it was extremely dry, then add the cheese just made it worse
Ended up adding water too
I didn’t have any rice & didn’t want to go to the store. I did;however, have a package of the broccoli cheese & rice. Worked great!
My family loved this dish and it was so easy to make. We will certainly be making it again.
Full disclosure, I didn’t have cheddar in the house, so I shredded up some smoked Gruyère instead. It was a tasty switch.
For the smoked sausage skillet, I was wondering if the broccoli called for was fresh broccoli? Thank you! Sounds like something my family would like.