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Sausage and Rice Skillet

September 19, 2024

A sausage and rice dinner that gets cooked all in one skillet. We brighten it up with a little pesto and fresh basil leaves for a dinner that’s done before someone asks, “What’s for dinner?”

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homemade sausage and rice skillet made with italian chicken sausage, peppers, onions and basil on a plate topped with pesto
Photography by Gayle McLeod

More Skillet Dinners

Easy one skillet sausage and peppers with rice

File this sausage and rice skillet under easy and budget-friendly! It’s totally a one pan meal, but it would be delicious with our Broccolini or Roasted Cauliflower. It’s best served with our Homemade Pesto, or if you have some Romesco Sauce around that would be delish too.

italian chicken sausage, rice, peppers, onion, basil, chicken stock and spices in prep bowls to make a sausage & rice skillet

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Italian chicken sausage

  • Red onion, red bell peppers, garlic cloves

  • Long grain white rice

  • Chicken stock

  • Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, freshly cracked black pepper

  • Homemade Pesto or store-bought will work too!

Sliced Italian chicken sausage being cooked in olive oil in a skillet
sliced bell peppers and red onion being cooked in a skillet
chicken stock being poured into a skillet with peppers, onions, rice and spices
Italian sausage, chicken stock, peppers, onions, rice and spices being combined in a skillet

How to Make Sausage And Rice Skillet Dinner

  • Brown the sausage in a large skillet or braiser.

  • Add the onions and peppers.

  • Add the garlic and rice and cook.

  • Stir in all the good stuff. Stir in the chicken stock, basil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and pepper.

  • Return the sausage to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

  • Drizzle with pesto and top with more basil to serve.

sausage and rice skillet made with italian chicken sausage, peppers, onions, spices, basil, rice and chicken stock

How to Store Leftovers + Tips

  • Other proteins to use: Any cooked sausage will work!

  • A note on chicken stock: Boxed chicken stock can be costly, which is why we usually have some of our own homemade stock on hand, or you can always use Better Than Bouillon.

  • Make ahead: Make ahead and freeze! When ready to use, just defrost and warm up with a little stock on the stove top or microwave.

Homemade sausage and rice skillet made with peppers, onions, basil and topped with pesto

More Dishes Starring Sausage From The Modern Proper

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Sausage and Rice Skillet

  • Serves:  6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  30 min
  • Calories:  431

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ pounds cooked Italian chicken sausage, ¼ inch sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • ½ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade

Method

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or braiser over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the sausage. Cook, undisturbed, until the sausage is browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the sausage to a plate.

  2. To the same saucepan, add the onions and peppers. Cook, stirring, until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and rice and cook, stirring often, until garlic is fragrant and rice is toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, basil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and pepper. Return the sausage and any collected juices to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

  3. Divide the sausage and rice among 6 plates. Drizzle with the pesto and top with more basil to serve.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 431
  • Protein 18 g
  • Carbohydrates 46 g
  • Total Fat 20 g
  • Dietary Fiber 2 g
  • Cholesterol 68 mg
  • sodium 1118 mg
  • Total Sugars 4 g

Sausage and Rice Skillet

Questions & Reviews

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  • Kim

    This recipe is on rotation on our household! So easy and flavorful + love the contrast of the bright pesto at the end!

    Thanks Kim, we are so happy you loved it!

  • shaku

    very good, need more rice receipes

    Thanks Shaku, we are so happy you loved it!

  • Jenn

    My family really enjoyed this one. It was simple to throw together and easy to leave off the pesto for the ones that don't prefer it. I lam grateful for anything that can be cooked in one dish.

    Thanks Jenn, we are glad your family enjoyed it.