Cheesy Sausage and Rice Skillet

This one-pan meal is comfort food made simple: smoky sausage rounds, sharp cheddar, crisp broccoli, and golden, flavorful rice. It delivers rich taste with minimal fuss—perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without a lot of cleanup.

Why You’ll Love It

Uses basic ingredients most of us already have: sausage, rice, cheese, a veggie.
Takes about 30 minutes total and only one skillet to wash.
Every bite is cheesy and satisfying.
Kid-friendly, picky-eater approved.

Ingredients

Smoked sausage — sliced into rounds or halves; gives a deep, savory flavor.
Butter — for richness and browning.
Broccoli — steamed until just tender; adds freshness, color, and nutrition.
Rice-A-Roni (original flavor) — the seasoning packets speed things up. You can swap for another seasoned rice if needed (but adjust liquid and cooking time accordingly).
Sharp cheddar cheese — freshly shredded melts best and adds tang.

How to Make It

Brown the sausage
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt, then add the sausage slices. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re nicely browned. Drain off extra fat if there’s too much, but leave some for flavor.
Toast the rice
Add the rice mixture (from the Rice-A-Roni boxes) to the skillet with the sausage. Stir to coat everything, and toast for 1–2 minutes until the rice starts to take on a light golden color.
Simmer
Pour in about 5 cups of water, stir in the seasoning packets you removed earlier, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for around 20 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Prepare the broccoli
While the rice is cooking, steam the broccoli until it’s tender but still bright green. Chop into bite-size pieces.
Combine & finish
Once rice is cooked, stir in the chopped broccoli, then add the shredded sharp cheddar. Mix gently until the cheese melts completely and the dish is hot all through. Serve right away.

Tips & Variations

For best melting, shred the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded.
You can swap smoked sausage for chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter version.
If fresh broccoli is unavailable, frozen is a fine substitute — just be sure to drain it well before adding.
Want more vegetables? Try adding bell peppers, peas, or even onions.
If you like spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce works well.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers keep for about 3 days in the fridge (in an airtight container).
Reheat gently, either on the stove or in the microwave. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of water or broth to revive the creaminess.