I have a soft spot for this dish because my mom made this every time she was really tired. I loved one-pot smoked sausage and rice days – in fact, I looked forward to it because my mum would pack the leftovers for school the next day.
I’ve spent a lot of days recreating this dish and I’m finally happy with how perfect it is – so I’m sharing it here!
With just a little creativity, this easy, flavorful meal came together, and let me tell you, it is love at first bite.
The best part? It’s incredibly versatile.
You can tweak the spices to match your heat tolerance, throw in some extra veggies if you’re in the mood, or even swap the smoked sausage for another protein like chicken or shrimp.
Plus, since it’s all cooked in one pot, the rice absorbs all the smoky goodness from the sausage, the rich seasonings, and the juicy tomatoes, making every bite unbelievably tasty.
If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup, this recipe is exactly what you need.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a weeknight dinner in a flash, this one-pot meal is bound to become a regular in your rotation. Let’s get cooking!
One Pot Sausage Rice
Course: Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy4-6
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
1 small onion, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- Sauté the Sausage & Veggies. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the smoked sausage slices and cook until browned on both sides (about 4-5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics. In the same pan, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Rice & Seasonings. Stir in the rice, making sure it gets well coated with the oil and veggies. Then add the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Simmer. Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well, then add the browned sausage back to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. If using cheese, sprinkle it on top and let it melt. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve & Enjoy! Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm!
- For my partner, I use vegan sausages and they work just as well!
Notes:
Make it spicier: Add extra cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
Add more veggies: Bell peppers, peas, or diced zucchini make great additions.
Use brown rice: If using brown rice, increase the broth to 2 ½ cups and extend the cook time to about 40 minutes.
Low-carb option: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice and reduce the broth accordingly.
Meal prep friendly: This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days—just reheat and enjoy!
This One Pot Smoked Sausage & Rice is simple, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, and your family, or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is a winner every time. Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear how it turns out! 😊
