Kielbasa and rice is an easy and inexpensive meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. This dish is loaded with seared kielbasa sausage, sauteed peppers and onions, and white rice cooked in chicken broth and seasonings. This meal can be on your table in only twenty minutes!
Ingredients You Need
- White rice - You can use your favorite variety of rice, just adjust the cooking accordingly.
- Chicken broth - Chicken stock also works. If you use low sodium broth or stock just be mindful that you may need to add more salt to the dish.
- Tomato paste - This is optional, but it adds flavor and color reminiscent of an ad hoc jambalaya.
- Seasonings: Paprika and black pepper. Garlic powder could also be added if you would like.
- Kielbasa - Other similar sausages can be substituted as well.
- Red pepper - Or you can use another sweet pepper.
- Onion - Yellow or sweet onions will be best.
How to Make it
Here is the basic summary: You will cook everything, then combine it together. Pretty easy, right?
Start by cooking the rice. We cook the rice in chicken broth because it adds more flavor than using water. We also add the tomato paste, paprika, and black pepper while the rice cooks so it can absorb into the rice.
While the rice cooks sear off your kielbasa in a large skillet. It will render fat as it cooks but you can help it be adding some cooking oil. Once the sausage is seared, add the peppers and onion and saute them until tender.
Once the rice, sausage, peppers, and onions are all cooked, combine them together in the large skillet and serve.
Expert tips and tricks
- You should be able to saute the peppers and onion in the rendered fat from the sausage, but if the sausage is too lean you may have to add some cooking oil.
- Feel free to customize this dish by adding your favorite vegetables and seasonings. Celery, parsley, and garlic would all be great options.
FAQs
Kielbasa is a mildly flavored sausage that pairs well with peppers, onions, cabbage, potatoes, rice, noodles, or dumplings. The sausage is versatile enough to use in a wide array of meals.
Most commonly kielbasa sausage is sold already cooked and ready to eat. However, you should always look at the packaging to confirm this prior to snacking on any uncooked pieces.
Sliced kielbasa cooks quickly in a frying pan and can be ready in less than five minutes. Whole kielbasa should be cooked on a lower heat because it will take longer, ten minutes or so, depending on the heat. The kielbasa is done cooking when it is heated through.
More Recipes for Sausages
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 14 ounce kielbasa (sliced)
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Add rice, chicken broth, tomato paste, and seasonings to a small saucepan. Cover with lid and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low until liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender.
- While rice cooks sear the kielbasa in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Periodically flip the sausage to ensure it cooks evenly. Once seared and heated through, remove from skillet and set aside.
- Add peppers and onions to the skillet and saute them in the leftover rendered fat from the kielbasa.*
- Once peppers and onions are tender, add kielbasa back to the skillet along with the cooked rice. Mix together, taste for salt, and adjust as needed. Serve immediately.
Michael Herlihy
One of the best recipe’s I have come across! This is my 1st review, but too good not to rate!!!! Quick, not many ingredients, and tastes delicious!
Julie
This is was yummy and quick but only giving 4 stars because it said it serves 6 but I only got 3.5 servings out of this recipe. Next time I plan to double the rice mixture but keep the sausage amount the same to hopefully get 6 servings. Thanks for the recipe! It will be going on our dinner rotation list 🙂
Naomi
I added a can of diced tomatoes and mushrooms. Also some diced zucchini. My kids ate it and declared it “good”!
Jessica
Gummy and bland. Made it twice thinking I was the problem-nope, just a poor recipe. Maybe I was expecting something more flavorful.
Charlene M Moody
Easy peasy and delicious! I added a bit more seasonings and celery to my dish, as mentioned in recipe you can play with it to make it to your liking.
Jennifer
Was a little skeptical but I was hungry so I made it. Absolutely delicious and will DEFINITELY make it again!!
Claire
This recipe looks delicious do you know how to cook this in the instant pot?
Cindy
Looks like a great alternative to boxed dinners. We make our own venison/beef kielbasa so I am excited to try this!
Carmen
I made this recipe added Fresh Baby Spinach and sliced mushrooms. Delicious wanted to make enough for leftovers to take for lunch. Big hit lots of happy faces .
BertaAnne
Hello,
This recipe brings back many cherished memories!
While living in western PA., kielbasa was a family favorite. It was a true blessing as our Children were very active and meals were made and eaten, quickly,
My In-laws owned a butcher shop and grocery in the thin town of Delmont.
That is where I found, homemade kielbaba. I can not eat the, prefab stuff one finds in groceries in SoCal. This recipe was a favorite, over 50 years ago!
Thanks for the memories!raf