This quick and easy one-pan meal is one of the best smoked sausage recipes for dinner we've come across. Combining sausage, peppers, and onions along with broccoli, rice, and a few delicious extras, it's a simple way to feed your family and friends on short notice. Just 10 min of preparation followed by 10 mins of cooking in a cast iron skillet, and you're ready to serve it up. And when it comes to doing the dishes, there's only one pan to worry about!
This dish makes a great stand-alone dish, but if your guests are extra hungry, you could serve it up with fresh bread (tortillas are great) or mashed potatoes, along with a side salad or some steamed vegetables.
Cut both the onion and bell pepper into thin slices, make sure your broccoli is broken into small florets, mince your garlic (or crush it in a garlic press), and shred your cheese. If you're not using pre-sliced smoked sausage, cut it up into 1/2 inch to 1-inch chunks.
Heat up a tablespoon of oil in your cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the garlic until it has softened - making sure not to brown or burn it.
Add the smoked sausage to the cooking garlic, cooking the sausage until it has browned evenly all over. Once you've browned the sausage, add the peppers and onions. Continue to cook the ingredients until the onion is translucent and the peppers have softened. When the onion and peppers are cooked through, add the broccoli, tomato sauce, and chicken broth to the skillet and wait until the mixture has come to a simmer.
While simmering, prepare your rice according to the instructions indicated on the package, drain, and set aside.
Once the broccoli is tender and the stock has been absorbed by the other ingredients, add the cooked rice, and stir until the rice and sausage mixture is well combined.
Top the combination with the shredded mozzarella, add salt and pepper to taste, and you're ready to serve.
Variations
Smoked sausage pairs well with a wide range of flavorful ingredients. If you are looking for some simple ways to up your skillet game here are a few additions you can make to the recipe above:
Spicy Sausage and Chili Peppers Recipe
Switch out some or all of the smoked sausage for a spicier alternative such as chorizo, spicy Italian sausage, or even nduja. For an even bigger kick, add some fresh chopped chili peppers to the pepper and onion mix. Jalapenos are perfect, or for the more adventurous eater, try the hotter habanero peppers.
Veggie (or Vegan) Sausage and Peppers Recipe
To make this dish suitable for vegetarians or vegans, all you need to do is substitute the sausage for your veggie alternative of choice. Also, remember to swap the shredded mozzarella for vegetarian or vegan cheese as appropriate.
Luxury sausage skillet Recipe
For a little extra luxury (at the expense of a few extra calories!), try stirring in a couple of tablespoons of butter the end of the cooking process, just before serving. You can also add a little chopped bacon along with the sausage, and try using shallots in place of onions.
