This Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet is made entirely in one pot for a super quick one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights!

I don’t know about you but I’ve had plenty of days lately that leave me feeling like takeout is the only logical solution. On days like that, I turn to recipes like this one- this Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet saves the day with its one-pot wonder magic. With just a handful of ingredients made in one skillet – it offers lots of flavor with minimal clean-up. Sure, it’s not made entirely from scratch, but it’s got the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Enjoy! ❤️-Ashley

This recipe is all about simplicity without skimping on flavor. The one-pot skillet is cheesy, comforting, and filling. Smoked sausage, perfectly cooked rice, and a medley of savory spices, all covered in a blanket of gooey, melted cheese. Not only will your own family love this meal, but your kitchen will smell amazing while it cooks! With simple ingredients, this comforting meal comes together in one big skillet (even the rice) which makes for easy clean up.

How to Make Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet

Here is a brief overview of how to make this cheesy rice skillet with sausage. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Cook the sausage. Melt butter in a hot skillet and add the sliced sausage, browning for a few minutes.
2. Add the rice. Set aside the seasoning packets from the Rice-A-Roni and add the rice to the pan. Brown for a minute or two.
3. Cook the rice and sausage. Stir in the water and the seasoning packets from Rice-A-Roni and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
4. Cook the broccoli. While the rice cooks, steam the broccoli and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Then add it to the skillet.
5. Add the cheese. Stir in the shredded cheese and stir to combine as it melts. Serve and enjoy!

Shredding Your Own Cheese

Anytime a recipe calls for shredded cheese, I highly recommend grating it yourself from a block. Pre-shredded cheese is covered in preservatives that prevent it from clumping together in the bag, which also affects its flavor and how it melts. Buy a block of sharp cheddar cheese to use for this recipe and take the extra minute or two to shred it yourself.

While I use sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe, you can use Monterrey jack, colby jack, or another variety of cheddar cheese.

Tips and Tricks

• Same time with frozen veggies. I love to make this recipe with frozen broccoli because it is easy to keep on hand and already cut up. You can also use fresh broccoli. Whichever option you choose, just be sure to steam it before adding it to the skillet.
• Keep Rice-A-Roni in your pantry. It provides both the rice and the seasonings for this skillet, and is easy to keep on hand in your pantry to make this a quick and easy weeknight dinner. I use the cheddar broccoli version, but other flavors would also work great in this recipe.
• Make it with chicken. Swap the sausage for chicken. Using shredded rotisserie chicken is a convenient way to add chicken to this recipe since it is already cooked.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cheesy rice and sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in a microwave or in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water if it seems dry.

Freezing

This is a great recipe to freeze! Once it has cooled, transfer the cheesy rice and sausage to a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to three months. When are you ready to eat it, allow to thaw overnight and warm in a saucepan, covered, over low heat.

Other Easy One Pot Meals

• One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
• One Pot Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet
• Creamy ‘One Pot’ Mac N’ Cheese

If you make this cheesy rice skillet recipe or any of my other recipes, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!