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Easy Italian Sausage and Peppers over Rice

5 from 12 votes

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Fast and flavorful, this Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Rice meal can be on the table inside of 30 minutes. Now that’s what I call real fast food!

Italian sausage and peppers over rice in wooden bowl on table

Don’t you just love having fast meals on your menu plan for the week?

I sure do! Cuz, let’s face it, we all have those days now and then.

You know, the ones where you’ve been on the phone for 45 minutes saying, “rep-re-sen-ta-tive” as slowly as you can, and the plumber never showed up, and the cat threw up in your favorite shoes…

Yeah, those days.

But instead of hitting the drive through or making other questionable choices for dinner (ice cream, I’m lookin at you...) you can still serve your family and yourself real food.

This particular meal can be on the table inside of 30 minutes. Now that’s what I call real fast food!

I like having Italian sausage in the freezer because it’s such a versatile ingredient.

Kinda like the little black dress of the food world. You can dress it up or down pretty much any way that suits your fancy and it always works.

For this particular recipe I paired it with some beautiful mini bell peppers that were loitering in my crisper.

Added a sauce-y gravy thing and served it over rice. Yum!

What made it so quick to fix was using my homemade instant rice. But you could absolutely serve it over pasta instead. It just wouldn’t be quite as fast.

Nights like that when I need something on the table fast, I’m so glad I do the canning and dehydrating stuff that helps it happen.

So, here’s what you’ll need to recreate this fabulous, fast & flavorful skillet meal.

ingredients for Italian sausage and peppers on cutting board

Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Rice

  • 2 cups homemade instant rice or other instant rice ~ enough for 4 cups
  • 4 cups homemade chicken broth, divided
  • 5 Italian sausages (if you’re on a tight budget, feel free to use less sausage, it still turns out great!)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4 mini bell peppers or 1 regular size
  • 1-3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • Sea salt & pepper to taste
  • Parsley flakes for garnish

If you want a more pronounced Italian flavor, feel free to add a teaspoon each of basil, rosemary, and/or oregano

If using purchased instant rice, follow the directions on the box using chicken broth instead of water.

To prepare homemade instant rice

Bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of homemade instant rice. Stir to combine. Cover and let sit for at least 10 minutes. When ready to serve, fluff with a fork.

To prepare sausage, peppers, and onions

While the stock for the rice is coming to a boil, remove the casings from the Italian sausage. Now make 5 or 6 small sausage balls from each sausage.

Next, slice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. De~seed the bell peppers and cut them into thin strips. 

I like to use mini orange, yellow, and red bell peppers. I think that makes it pretty. 

Because life’s too short for boring food!

prepared ingredients on cutting board

When everything is ready to go, put the olive oil in a cast iron skillet (or other heavy, large skillet) and put it over medium heat. 

Start off by browning the sausage balls on all sides. Because they are small they will cook through fairly quickly, so make sure you just brown them. 

sausage balls in cast iron frying pan

Once they are browned, remove them from the pan. You may have to brown them in 2 batches.

Now toss in the garlic, onions, bell peppers, and thyme. 

And, ya know, not really toss. We’ve talked about that before

Saute those guys until the peppers are crisp-tender and the onions are translucent. Then remove the vegetables from the pan, too.

sauted vegetables in iron skillet with wooden spoon

To prepare the saucy/gravy thing

Add the 2 Tbsp of flour to the hot oil in the skillet. Whisk constantly, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

We need to cook the flour until it turns a golden brown so it loses that “raw” taste.

Once the flour has browned, add the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth all at once. Whisk to combine and continue whisking until the gravy has thickened.

browning flour in oil in iron skillet

When it reaches the desired thickness, season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Reduce the heat to low and return the sausage balls to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes to finish cooking the sausage.

Add the veggie mixture and stir to combine.

Italian sausage and peppers with sauce in iron skillet on wooden cutting board with wooden spoon

Serve over the rice. Or you can mix the rice into the rest of the ingredients in the skillet.

Totally up to you. Judgement free zone here.

Dish it up in a bowl so you don’t lose any of the sauce.

Sprinkle the parsley flakes over the top to add at touch more color.

Italian sausage and peppers over rice in wooden bowl

Round out the meal with a tossed salad, steamed broccoli, and some cheesy garlic bread and you have a meal fit for a queen! 

Or any other royalty you’d care to name.

This would be equally as fabulous with kielbasa sliced in rounds. Or with chorizo. Or even chicken sausage if you’re so inclined.

And if there happens to be any leftovers, which there very well may not be, put them in an airtight container and toss it in the fridge. It should keep for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

To re-heat, add a little water to a skillet, them the sausage and peppers mixture and heat on medium till the sausage is warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Sausage and Peppers over Rice

What should I serve with sausage and peppers?

I like to serve it with steamed broccoli or asparagus, a fresh green salad (with this Italian vinaigrette from my friend Sammy over at TheDevilWearsSalad.com), and cheesy garlic bread.

How long does sausage and peppers keep?

Sausage and peppers will keep for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can you freeze leftover sausage and peppers?

Absolutely! Put it in an airtight container and toss it in there.

Remember to label and date it though. Don’t want any mystery meals…

It will keep in the freezer just fine for about 3 months.

More dinners recipes you’ll love:

Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Rice Skillet Meal

This Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Rice meal can be on the table inside of 30 minutes. Now that’s what I call real fast food!
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 504 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups homemade instant rice or other instant rice ~ enough for 4 cups
  • 4 cups homemade chicken broth divided
  • 5 Italian sausages or other sausage of your choice
  • 1 med onion
  • 4 mini bell peppers or 1 regular size
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Sea salt & pepper to taste
  • Parsley flakes for garnish

Instructions
 

To prepare homemade instant rice

  • If using purchased instant rice, follow the directions on the box using chicken stock instead of water.
  • Bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of homemade instant rice. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and let sit for at least 10 minutes. When ready to serve, fluff with a fork.

To prepare sausage, peppers, and onions

  • While the stock for the rice is coming to a boil, remove the casings from the Italian sausage. Now make 5 or 6 small sausage balls from each sausage.
  • Next, slice the onion and mince the garlic clove. De~seed the bell peppers and cut them into thin strips.
  • Put the olive oil in a cast iron skillet (or other heavy skillet) and turn the heat on to medium.
  • Lightly brown the sausage balls on all sides and remove them from the pan. You may have to brown them in 2 batches.
  • Put the garlic, onions, bell peppers, and thyme in the hot skillet and saute until the peppers are tender and the onions are translucent. Remove them from the pan.

To prepare the gravy

  • Add the 2 Tbsp of flour to the hot oil in the skillet. Whisk constantly, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
  • Cook the flour until it turns a golden brown.
  • Once the flour has browned, add the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth all at once. Whisk to combine and continue whisking until the gravy has thickened.
  • When it reaches the desired thickness, season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Reduce the heat to low and return the sausage balls to the skillet.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes to finish cooking the sausage.
  • Add the veggie mixture and stir to combine.
  • Serve over the rice. Or you can mix the rice into the rest of the ingredients in the skillet.

Notes

Round out the meal with a tossed salad and some garlic toast.
This would be equally as fabulous with kielbasa sliced in rounds. Or even with chorizo.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 17gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 1260mgPotassium: 435mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Italian sausage
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
By on January 17th, 2022

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