Easy Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet – Ready in 30 Minutes!

Introduction

For busy weeknights when you crave maximum flavor with minimal effort, nothing beats this Easy Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet. It’s hearty, satisfying, and brings together savory sausage, tender rice, colorful veggies, and gooey melted cheese—all in a single skillet. Perfect for families or anyone looking to whip up a comforting meal in a hurry, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your menu rotation.

Why This Cheesy Skillet is a Weeknight Winner

This dish shines for its unbeatable flavor, simplicity, and one-pan cleanup. The combination of seasoned sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and creamy, melted cheese creates a satisfying bite in every forkful. The best part? There’s no need to juggle multiple pots and pans—making cooking (and cleaning up) a breeze.

Customizing Your Skillet

Feel free to make this recipe your own! Swap in your preferred type of sausage—smoky kielbasa, spicy andouille, or classic Italian. Use fresh or frozen veggies on hand, like broccoli florets or peas, to enhance nutrition and color. Top with your favorite blend of cheeses, or add a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs for a burst of brightness at the finish.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Meal

Serve this cheesy sausage and rice skillet with a simple green salad or crusty bread on the side for a well-rounded meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it perfect for lunch the next day. For an extra touch, garnish with sliced green onions or fresh parsley just before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each hearty portion typically contains approximately 500-600 calories, depending on the type of sausage and cheese used. It’s a robust, protein-packed meal designed to keep you satisfied and energized.

Easy Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet (Recap)

One-pan, easy cleanup, loads of flavor—this skillet meal delivers everything you love about comfort food, with the added bonus of being ready in just 30 minutes. Keep it in your weeknight dinner rotation for a meal the whole family will love.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and easy weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and sauté 3-4 minutes, until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and smoked paprika (if using); cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Stir in the uncooked rice, toasting for 1 minute. Add the undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
4. Return the sausage to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed. Stir occasionally while cooking.
5. Uncover, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Garnish with sliced green onions or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet is ideal for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan your dinner nights and instantly generate a smart shopping list.

Meal planning benefits include:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all your planned recipes
• Sorts your grocery list by store section for fast, frictionless shopping
• Avoids duplicate buys and forgotten essentials
• Keeps you organized for stress-free weekly meal prep

Pro tip: Schedule all your meals to consolidate recurring ingredients (like onions or chicken broth) and buy exactly what you need—saving money and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes