Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet Recipe – 20-Minute One-Pan Dinner Idea

When weeknights get hectic and time is short, nothing beats a one-pan wonder that delivers big on flavor while keeping dishes to a minimum. This Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet recipe has become a staple in busy households for good reason – combining savory smoked sausage, colorful vegetables, and fluffy rice in a single pan that goes from stovetop to table in just 20 minutes. Serve it over a bed of rice for a complete meal that will satisfy the whole family.

Why Home Cooks Love This Recipe

With an impressive 4.4-star rating from 416 reviews, this Hillshire Farm® Brand recipe has earned its place in the weeknight dinner rotation. Over 300 home cooks have shared their experiences, with 134 submitting photos of their successful creations. The verdict is clear – this dish is consistently described as a “keeper!” with “great flavors” that’s “easy to follow” and has become a “family favorite” in kitchens across the country.

Updated in April 2022, this recipe continues to win hearts with its perfect balance of simplicity and satisfaction.

Quick Facts

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this skillet dish lies in its straightforward ingredient list – most of which you may already have in your kitchen:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (14-ounce) package Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage, sliced into rounds
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1½ cups instant rice, uncooked
• 1 cup frozen broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Step-By-Step Directions

Transform these simple ingredients into a hearty meal with these easy-to-follow steps:

1. Prep the pan: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
2. Brown the sausage: Add the sliced sausage to the hot oil and cook for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally until the edges develop a golden-brown color.
3. Add aromatics: Add the diced red bell pepper, chopped yellow onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté with the sausage for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions become translucent.
4. Create the base: Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine all ingredients and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these contain tremendous flavor!
5. Add rice and simmer: Stir in the instant rice, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Incorporate broccoli: Add the frozen broccoli florets, gently folding them into the mixture. Cover again and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
7. Finish with cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let stand for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully.
8. Serve: Spoon the skillet mixture onto plates or bowls and serve immediately while hot and bubbling.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving:

• Calories: 510
• Total Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 75mg
• Sodium: 1480mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 22g

Note: Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions. Exact values may vary depending on products used and portion sizes.

Home Cook Variations

The versatility of this recipe has inspired many creative adaptations among home cooks. Here are some popular variations that have received rave reviews:

Vegetable Substitutions

Many cooks report excellent results using:

• Frozen stir-fry vegetable medleys instead of just broccoli
• Fresh seasonal vegetables like zucchini and summer squash
• Bell peppers in various colors for added visual appeal
• Mushrooms for an earthy flavor dimension

Protein Adaptations

While the smoked sausage creates the foundation of flavor, some cooks have successfully:

• Added shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking
• Incorporated leftover rotisserie chicken
• Used turkey kielbasa for a leaner option
• Mixed in bacon bits for extra smoky flavor

Sauce and Seasoning Tweaks

The flavor profile is easily customizable:

• Some cooks use home-canned tomatoes instead of tomato sauce
• Adding Italian seasoning creates a Mediterranean-inspired dish
• A splash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes adds welcome heat
• Worcestershire sauce offers depth and complexity

Rice Variations

Beyond instant rice, successful adaptations include:

• Brown rice (with adjusted cooking time and liquid amounts)
• Cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version
• Quinoa for added protein
• Rice pilaf mixes for pre-seasoned convenience

Pro Tips From Home Cooks

After analyzing hundreds of reviews, certain helpful tips emerged consistently:

1. Mind the grease: Several cooks recommend draining some of the rendered fat after browning the sausage, especially if using a particularly fatty variety.
2. Don’t overcook: The instant rice can quickly go from perfect to mushy, so keep a close eye on it during the final minutes of cooking.
3. Layer the flavors: For maximum taste, don’t rush the sautéing of the vegetables and sausage – those caramelized flavors form the foundation of the dish.
4. Cheese variations: While mozzarella offers that classic melty goodness, many have found success with cheddar, pepper jack, or a combination of cheeses.
5. Make it ahead: Some reviewers prepare all ingredients (chopping vegetables, slicing sausage) in advance for an even quicker weeknight assembly.

Why This Recipe Works

The genius of this Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet lies in its thoughtful combination of ingredients that create maximum flavor with minimal effort. The smoked sausage provides a ready-made flavor base, eliminating the need for complex seasoning. The instant rice absorbs the savory tomato and chicken broth mixture, infusing each grain with taste while creating an efficient one-pan cooking method.

Additionally, the dish achieves the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a complete meal solution that satisfies diverse nutritional needs. The melted cheese topping adds a comfort food element that appeals to picky eaters while elevating the dish’s visual appeal.

For busy families seeking quick yet satisfying dinner solutions, this Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet hits all the marks – convenient, customizable, and consistently delicious. No wonder it’s earned its place as a “keeper” in home cooking repertoires nationwide!