This sausage and rice skillet is the perfect one-pan dinner for busy weeknights packed with savory sausage, rice, and tender veggies! It’s a hearty meal the whole family will love.

Easy sausage and rice skillet dinner cooked in one pot with smoked sausage, rice, and peppers.

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Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner

Sausage and rice skillet is ready in 30 minutes and a one-pot meal that everyone looks forward to!

I can’t get enough of one-pan recipes, whether they’re done in the oven, like sheet pan sausage and veggies, or on the stove, like this sausage and rice skillet. There’s nothing better than feeding your family something both filling, delicious and fuss-free!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe

  • Quick and hearty. Feed your family any night of the week with minimal cleanup!
  • Customizable. There are so many ways to make this flavor-packed meal your own.

Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for sausage and rice skillet including Italian sausage, rice, bell pepper, onion, chicken broth, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Cooked Italian sausage: Smoked sausage is cooked sausage; however, Italian sausage will usually come uncooked. In this case, you’ll want to cook it first, then slice.
  • Onion and red bell pepper: I use red bell pepper, but any color of pepper works.
  • White rice and chicken stock: Rinse the starch off the rice before adding it to the skillet. You can use homemade or store-bought chicken stock or chicken broth.
  • Seasoning: Salt, garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper.
  • Optional toppings: Homemade or store-bought pesto and/or chopped fresh basil.

How to Make Sausage and Rice Skillet

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and bell peppers for 2 minutes. Add sausage, cook another 2-3 minutes, then stir in the rice.

Sliced sausage and red bell peppers sautéing in a skillet as the first step of sausage and rice skillet recipe.

Pour in the stock and sprinkle in the seasoning. Bring everything to a simmer, cover with the lid, and reduce to low.

Uncooked rice and seasonings added to sausage and peppers in a skillet before simmering into one pot sausage and rice.

Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring halfway. Once done, rest off the heat covered for 5 minutes. Top with pesto or basil for garnish, if desired.

Recipe Tips

  • Keep the sliced sausage about 1/2″ – 3/4″ thick. Brown them first for extra flavor.
  • Use a large skillet to ensure it holds everything. You need to use the right amount of broth to properly cook the rice.
  • Letting the sausage and rice sit covered for a few minutes at the end helps ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
  • Switch up the flavors in this dish to make a completely new dish every time, try a different seasoning, vegetables, broth or sausage!
One pot sausage and rice skillet with smoked sausage, bell peppers, and fluffy rice topped with fresh herbs.

More sausage recipes include Sausage Balls, Sausage Breakfast Pizza and Sausage Tortellini Soup.

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Easy sausage and rice skillet dinner cooked in one pot with smoked sausage, rice, and peppers.

Sausage and Rice Skillet

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
This sausage and rice skillet is the perfect one-pan dinner for busy weeknights packed with savory sausage, rice, and tender veggies! It's a hearty meal the whole family will love.
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound cooked Italian sausage , sliced in 1/4 inch rounds
  • ½ onion , diced
  • 1 red bell pepper , thinly sliced, then cut into two-inch pieces
  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Optional toppings: Pesto (store bought or homemade) and/or chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  • Sauté vegetables:: In a large skillet that has a lid, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and red pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add sausage and rice: Add the sausage and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Add 1 cup rice and stir for another 2 minutes.
  • Add liquid and spices: Add 2 cups chicken stock, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce heat to low.
  • Cook: Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring half way through.
  • Serve: Top with pesto and/or basil, if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

For a smoked sausage version, use smoked sausage, paprika and cayenne pepper. Add some cheese on top if desired.
Cajun style use andouille sausage and cajun seasoning.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 1058mg, Potassium: 378mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 630IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Substitutions and Variations

  • For a smoky skillet, try smoked sausage, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Then, add some cheese on top!
  • To make it Cajun-style with andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning.
  • Toss in some extra veggies like broccoli or mushrooms. Stir in some peas at the end.
  • Swap the Italian sausage for turkey sausage, chicken sausage, kielbasa, or chorizo.

Recipe FAQs

How to store leftovers?

Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze it?

Sure, you can freeze this! It’s a great make-ahead meal for that very reason. Once completely cooled, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How to reheat it?

Easy to do in the microwave or in the skillet until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of broth to loosen it up and prevent burning.