Feeling the pressure of the weeknight dinner rush? This Cheesy Sausage and Rice skillet recipe is your new secret weapon. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that comes together in just one pan in under 30 minutes. Forget about juggling multiple pots and pans; this dish is designed for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup, making it a true lifesaver for busy families and anyone craving pure comfort food.
We’re talking savory sausage, fluffy rice, and a gloriously creamy cheese sauce all cooked together to perfection. It’s a complete meal that solves the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma with delicious simplicity. Let’s dive into how to make this soon-to-be family favorite.
Why This Cheesy Sausage and Rice Recipe is a Weeknight Winner
There are countless reasons to love this dish, but here are the highlights that will get you excited to start cooking.
- One-Pan Simplicity: All the cooking happens in a single skillet, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze.
- Speedy and Efficient: From start to finish, this entire meal is on the table in less than 30 minutes. It’s faster than takeout!
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Made with affordable pantry staples like rice, broth, and sausage, it’s a meal that satisfies without breaking the bank.
- Family-Approved Flavor: The combination of savory sausage and creamy cheese is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s pure comfort in a bowl.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of quality ingredients to create this incredible Cheesy Sausage and Rice skillet.
- Ground Italian Sausage: Provides a robust, savory flavor base. You can use mild or hot, depending on your preference.
- Onion & Garlic: The essential aromatics that build a deep layer of flavor.
- Long-Grain White Rice: Use uncooked long-grain white rice, like Jasmine or Basmati, for the best texture.
- Chicken Broth: This cooks the rice while infusing it with more flavor than plain water.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to an ultra-creamy, luscious sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar melts beautifully and provides that classic cheesy pull.
- Seasonings: Smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper are all you need to perfectly complement the sausage and cheese.
For a similar satisfying weeknight meal, you might also love this delicious ground beef and rice casserole.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cheesy Sausage and Rice
Follow these simple steps for a flawless one-pan dinner.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice, smoked paprika, and oregano to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes to toast the rice grains. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor.
- Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Get Cheesy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cubed cream cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted and gooey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Hot: Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Skillet Dinner
A few expert tips can elevate your Cheesy Sausage and Rice from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the creamiest sauce, always buy a block and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Rice: Taking a minute to toast the rice with the spices before adding the liquid enhances its flavor and helps the grains stay distinct.
- Let It Rest: After you stir in the cheese, let the skillet sit off the heat for a couple of minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it with different ingredients to make it your own!
Add Some Veggies
Stir in a cup of frozen peas and carrots during the last 5 minutes of simmering. You can also add a handful of fresh spinach along with the cheese until it wilts. For more one-pan meal inspiration, check out our sheet pan balsamic chicken.
Swap the Sausage
Not a fan of Italian sausage? Try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or even sliced smoked sausage. Adjust the seasonings as needed to complement your choice of protein.
Experiment with Cheese
While cheddar is a classic, this dish is fantastic with other cheeses. Try a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar, or add some Parmesan for a nutty, salty kick. If you’re a cheese lover, this white cheddar mac and cheese is another must-try.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
This Cheesy Sausage and Rice makes for fantastic leftovers, if you have any!
- To Store: Let the dish cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess. You can also reheat it in a skillet over low heat.
- Freezing: Due to the dairy content, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. However, you can freeze it in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amount. Brown rice typically requires more liquid (about 1/2 cup extra broth) and a longer simmering time (around 35-40 minutes) to become tender.
Absolutely. You can prepare the entire dish, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. It’s a great option for meal prep. Simply reheat following the instructions above when you’re ready to eat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave a portion with a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy texture, or gently warm it in a skillet over low heat.
We recommend ground Italian sausage (either mild or hot) for its robust flavor. However, you can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or sliced smoked sausage with great results. Just adjust seasonings accordingly!
This dish is very versatile! You can stir in 1 cup of frozen peas, corn, or chopped broccoli during the last 5 minutes of simmering. A handful of fresh spinach can also be added with the cheese until it wilts.
The Perfect Comfort Meal Awaits
This Cheesy Sausage and Rice recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of time or a complicated list of ingredients to create a memorable, comforting meal. It’s a dish that brings everyone to the table and leaves them smiling. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest!
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Recipe
Cheesy Sausage and Rice (The 30-Minute One-Pan Wonder)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, smoked paprika, and oregano. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to toast the rice.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the cubed cream cheese until melted and creamy. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: Feel free to add 1 cup of frozen peas or chopped broccoli during the last 5 minutes of simmering for extra veggies.
