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This kielbasa and rice skillet recipe is an easy one pan dinner that combines flavorful smoked sausage with rice and peas. A 20 minute meal perfect for busy weeknights!
Smoked Sausage and Rice
If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, you’re going to love this easy recipe for smoked sausage and rice. I love that I can make this simple dinner in about 20 minutes with hardly any prep. My whole family absolutely loves the flavor – it tastes amazing, and we hardly ever have leftovers! Best of all, everything cooks in one pan, which means only one skillet to wash! If you enjoy sausage and rice recipes, check out my Instant Pot version.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this one pot meal. You can find full ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card below.
- Smoked sausage — I always use Polska kielbasa from our neighborhood Polish store. But you can use any kind of sausage as long as it is precooked — chicken or turkey sausage would be delicious!
- Rice — I use instant rice or Minute Rice because it cooks so fast. You can use long grain white rice, but it will need to cook longer, and you may need more liquid.
- Peas — I use frozen peas because they cook quickly. You can use broccoli or a bell pepper or your favorite veggies here.
- Seasonings — sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, minced onions and paprika. You can sub fresh garlic and onions and use your favorite seasonings if you prefer.
- Water — to cook the rice. I sometimes use beef broth or chicken broth for added flavor.
- Dijon mustard — just a bit for a little extra kick
- Butter — completely optional, but adds a touch of creaminess at the end. You can also sprinkle some cheese for cheesy kielbasa with rice.
How to Make Kielbasa and Rice
First, cut the sausage into even slices, about a half inch thick. Brown it in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then mix in the remaining ingredients, and cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. You’ll want to stir the rice mixture occasionally.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze this leftover kielbasa dinner for up to 3 months. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.
Recipe Tips
Make sure the kielbasa is smoked or already cooked. If you buy yours from a Polish market, try the “wedding kielbasa”. It’s what I always use.
Use a large skillet or pot. I use my 12-inch cast iron skillet, and it works great for cooking one dish dinners.
You may need a little bit of olive oil for browning the kielbasa, depending on what pan you are using.
More Easy Smoked Sausage Recipes
I have so many kielbasa recipes on this site! If you like pasta, try my haluski or one pot tortellini or this comforting kielbasa casserole. You may like this reader favorite sausage with sauerkraut or sausage and potatoes or this easy slow cooker sausage recipe.
Kielbasa and Rice Skillet
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked sausage
- 2 cups instant rice
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Slice the kielbasa into even slices, about ½ inch thick
- Brown kielbasa in a large skillet over medium heat
- Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and bring to a boil over medium high heat
- Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until rice is soft and liquid is mostly absorbed, stirring occasionally.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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