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This sausage and peppers rice skillet is what happens when classic sausage and peppers meets a no-fuss, one-pan rice dinner. Smoky kielbasa, sweet bell peppers, and perfectly seasoned rice all slowly simmered together until their flavors meld into a rich, hearty dish. The easy cleanup is a bonus! It’s fast, filling, and unapologetically satisfying.
Craving more easy one-pan dinners? Try my Italian chicken skillet for a tomatoey, herb-loaded twist or dive into some serious flavor with this pork fried rice. Both weeknight gold.
Here is Why This Rice Skillet Dinner Recipe Works
One-pan wonder: Fewer dishes, less hassle, all the flavor. This is a skillet dinner that respects your time and your sink.
Big on bold flavor: Smoked paprika, garlic, and tomato paste bring depth, while the sausage does the heavy lifting in the taste department. Craving even more kick? My jambalaya brings the heat.
Perfect rice texture: Cooking the rice right in the skillet with broth and sauce means every grain gets infused with savory goodness.
Flexible ingredients: Swap bell peppers, adjust the heat, or use your favorite sausage.
Recipe Tips
Don’t rush the sauté: Give the onions and peppers the full 5–8 minutes to soften and get a bit of color, that’s where the flavor builds.
Use long-grain rice: Short-grain or instant will mess with the texture. Stick to long-grain for this recipe. My fluffy white rice method has all the basics if you need a refresher.
Keep the lid on: No peeking during the 25-minute simmer. Steam does the heavy lifting here, and lifting the lid lets it escape.
Let it rest: That 15-minute post-cook rest? Not optional. It finishes the rice and lets the flavors settle in together.
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up, or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each.
Rice Skillet with Smokey Sausage and Peppers
This sausage and peppers rice skillet is the kind of satisfying, no-fuss meal that earns a spot in your regular rotation. If you’re into skillet dinners that don’t skimp on flavor, check out my roast beef pasta skillet or this creamy chicken and broccoli pasta next—they’re just as cozy, and just as easy.
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Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced into bite-size pieces
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 bell peppers, red and/or green chopped
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian spice blend
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 ⅓ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot toss in the sausage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sausage begins to brown.
- Add the onion snd bell pepper. Saute for 5 to 8 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, spice blend, salt, pepper and red pepper. Stir for about 1 minute until the garlic and spices are fragrant.
- Add the rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes (along with the juices) and tomato sauce. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom of the skillet and loosen anything that may be stuck to the bottom. Stir well to coat all the rice grains.
- Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook on medium-low heat for 25 minutes.
- Remove from heat but keep the lid on and let it rest for 15 minutes. Remove the lid, stir and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Love any and all sausages! Kielbasa is one of my go-tos. Love how quickly this dish comes together, and, wow, SO packed with flavor. Really good stuff — thanks.
Thanks John, it certainly gets devoured every time we make it
Kielbasa sausage is new to me. I definitely need to look out for them to try. Your skillet meal looks so flavoursome and moreish. A perfect week-night meal.
thanks Angie