Description
This Sausage and Rice Skillet recipe is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal featuring smoky sausage, colorful bell peppers, and perfectly cooked rice all simmered together with a savory tomato paste and spices. Ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish combines simple ingredients with bold seasoning to create a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 1/4 cup white rice (uncooked)
Protein & Vegetables
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 12 oz package smoked sausage
- 1/2 red bell pepper – sliced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper – sliced
- 1 small white onion – quartered and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic – minced
Seasonings & Others
- 1/2 tsp kosher sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 5 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth – divided
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp parsley – chopped
Instructions
- Cook the rice: In a small saucepan, prepare the white rice according to the package directions until tender and fluffy, then set aside.
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and once shimmering, add the smoked sausage. Cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add sliced red and yellow bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, kosher sea salt, and ground black pepper, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove vegetables and set aside with the sausage.
- Simmer the sauce: Add tomato paste and about 3/4 cup of the chicken broth to the skillet. Whisk together and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in paprika and cayenne pepper to incorporate the spice flavors.
- Combine and finish: Stir in the cooked rice, browned sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, and the remaining chicken broth until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the skillet, give a final stir, and serve the dish immediately while warm.
Notes
- For an Italian twist, substitute smoked sausage with Italian sausage and add 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.
- For a Cajun flavor, use andouille sausage and 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning instead of smoked sausage.
- To store leftovers, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months.
- For reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then heat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
