This delicious Cheesy Kielbasa Rice and Broccoli Skillet is bursting with flavor and is so easy to make! This easy skillet recipe comes together in a flash and is made in a single skillet for easy clean-up. One of our favorite easy weeknight dinners!
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Make sure to check out my Chicken Stir Fry, Stuffed Shells and Lazy Day Lasagna!
Cheesy Kielbasa Rice and Broccoli Skillet
I rely so much on quick skillet dinners that are complete meals unto themselves. This easy skillet recipe is one our favorites – it’s got the cheese, the rice, the broccoli, and a personal favorite of mine, Polska Kielbasa.
My family absolutely devours this easy, cheesy skillet dinner every time I make it and I know your family will love it, too. I’m always a fan of one-pot recipes that don’t require a lot of clean-up. Feel free to substitute cauliflower for the broccoli and use whatever cheese you have on hand—it will be delicious no matter what!
Love kielbasa? Make sure you try my Kielbasa Potato Hash!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Busy weeknights got you stressed? This skillet dinner comes together in no time, making it the perfect solution for those hectic evenings.
- Easy Peasy Clean Up: Say goodbye to a mountain of dishes! This one-pan wonder means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your delicious meal.
- Satisfying: The combination of savory kielbasa, tender rice, and crunchy broccoli creates a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Plus, the cheesy topping adds a rich, indulgent touch.
How to Make This Kielbasa Skillet Recipe
This easy recipe is prepared in a single skillet and uses everyday ingredients – many of which you may already have on hand. Let’s take a quick look at how to make this recipe and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, lidded skillet.
- Brown kielbasa for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Saute onion and bell pepper until onion is translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add rice to the skillet and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add broccoli and cover again. Cook an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Stir in kielbasa and 1 cup of cheese.
- Top with the remaining cup of cheese.
- Cover with a lid until cheese is melted.
“I just made this recipe tonight for dinner. It was so easy and absolutely delicious! Lots of great flavor. The only thing I did differently was to add frozen cauliflower rice instead of the regular rice to make it lower in carbs. Even my husband liked it!!” – Diana
Storage Information
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Microwave: To quickly reheat, transfer a portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent drying. Heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Stovetop: To reheat leftovers more evenly, transfer them to a skillet over low-medium heat. Add a splash of water or milk to prevent sticking and drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Variations to Try
- Swap out the kielbasa for your favorite chicken, turkey or pork cut. Or for a lighter option, try shrimp or tofu.
- For a low-carb option, replace regular rice with cauliflower rice or add some extra nutrition with quinoa or brown rice.
- Instead of just broccoli, add a colorful mix of your favorite vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or peas.
- For a boost of greens, stir in some spinach or kale at the end of cooking.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can definitely use brown rice. However, brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Absolutely! Frozen broccoli is a great time-saving option. Just add it to the skillet slightly thawed.
What kind of cheese should I use?
You can use any cheese you like! I think cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a combination of cheeses would taste great.
The rice is sticking to the bottom of the pan. What should I do?
To prevent sticking, make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the rice. Also, avoid stirring the rice too much while it’s cooking. If the rice does stick, try adding a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can add other vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or even carrots. It’s your turn to get creative!
Trish’s Tips
- Once you’ve added the broth and covered the skillet, resist the urge to stir the rice. This allows it to cook evenly and absorb the liquid properly.
- To ensure tender-crisp broccoli, add it to the top of the rice without stirring. Cover and steam until bright green and tender.
- For extra cheesy goodness, use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Crockpot Kielbasa and Barbecue Beans
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chili Mac and Cheese
- Salisbury Steak
- Tater Tot Casserole
Cheesy Kielbasa Rice and Broccoli Skillet
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 14 ounces Polska Kielbasa sliced on a diagonal
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 small bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup white rice long grain, uncooked
- 2 cups low sodium chicken stock or chicken broth
- 2 cups broccoli florets bite size pieces, raw
- 2 cups shredded cheese divided, I used a cheddar blend
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large, lidded skillet.½ tablespoon olive oil
- Brown kielbasa in the skillet, 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon.14 ounces Polska Kielbasa
- Saute onion and bell pepper until onion is translucent. Make sure to work the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet – more flavor 🙂1 small onion, 1 small bell pepper
- Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper.2 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Add rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Continue stirring for 1 to 2 more minutes.1 cup white rice
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.2 cups low sodium chicken stock
- Without disturbing the rice, add the broccoli to the top of the rice and cover again. Cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until rice is tender.2 cups broccoli florets
- Stir in kielbasa and 1 cup of cheese.2 cups shredded cheese, 14 ounces Polska Kielbasa
- Top with remaining cup of cheese. Cover with lid and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.2 cups shredded cheese
Notes
- Microwave: To quickly reheat, transfer a portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent drying. Heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Stovetop: To reheat leftovers more evenly, transfer them to a skillet over low-medium heat. Add a splash of water or milk to prevent sticking and drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition
Originally published March 9, 2016.
Adrienne says
This recipe is definitely in our meal rotation – I am so glad that you shared this! Even the little one eats it & we all know what those type of fights can be like. I do have a question though – I follow the recipe to a T but each time the bottom burns. I have a gas range – I didn’t know if anyone had any suggestions on how to fix this?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yikes! I’ve never had that happen to me but it sounds like maybe a liquid issue or a too high of heat issue. You can reduce the heat a bit or add some chicken stock – either way, it won’t dry out as quickly and hopefully eliminate that issue.
Jeanne says
Made this Friday night for dinner at camp. It was delicious. Followed the recipe to a T and we loved it. easy quick and very cheesy. One pot wonder is what this turned out to be and will be a regular camp meal. I love your recipes and have tried several and i have never made one that we didn’t enjoy.
Thank you for all the great recipes.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m so glad you loved this one Jeanne – it’s one of our favorites! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Carina says
You just saved our busy evening with this! I used frozen broccoli and beef stock. That’s what I had on hand- still delicious. It officially on our biweekly meal plan!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Woohoo! Sounds like a plan to me! Have a great weekend!
Diana says
I just made this recipe tonight for dinner. It was so easy and absolutely delicious! Lots of great flavor. The only thing I did differently was to add frozen cauliflower rice instead of the regular rice to make it lower in carbs. Even my husband liked it!! Thank you for a great recipe!! ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That is such a great idea! Perfect way to make this dish low carb – yum!
Kristin says
Did you cook the cauliflower rice the same amount of time?
Elena says
This is one of our staples. It’s so quick and easy! We substitute the keilbasa for plant-based sausage and it’s SO delicious. However… There’s something way off with the nutritional calculation… There are almost that many calories in the cheese alone!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
The nutritional information has been updated and corrected Elena – thank you!
Kim says
I just tried this recipe tonight and doubled it to be sure there was enough to feed my family. My niece, nephew, and mother are all very very picky eaters. They loved it and said I need to add it to meal list. My baby is one and could not get enough of the sausage and rice. She loved it. It doubled with no problem and I did not change any of the cooking time and it came out perfect. I love the fact that the broccoli was not over cooked. Thank you for a great recipe.
Carmen says
Just made this for dinner.. For the incredibly short amount of time it took to throw together and the relatively short ingredient list, I am blown away by how good this is!!!!! This is the first recipe I’ve made off of this blog but am definitely looking for my next meal right now, possibly even a remake of this one! Thanks!
Amber says
I have never tried kielbasa, is it spicy? Everytime I buy Mexican seasonings, etc. I buy “mild”. lol
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No, I don’t consider it to be spicy at all.
Pamela says
One of my go tos now. Family absolutely loves it! Even my toddler son! I use turkey sausage instead though.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s in our regular rotation too Pamela. Easy and delicious – thanks for stopping by!
Lori says
I just found your site Trish!!
I have been sick, I really can’t wait now to start cooking❤️
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you found me Lori and so happy you’re feeling well enough to cook <3
Bridget Miller says
My kids loved this!! Thanks for a great recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wonderful! Thanks Bridget!
Courtney says
I have made this several times for my family and they love it. I never have any leftovers when I make it.
Dorene Ebner says
We thought it was very good! I added some bacon pieces in the mix.
Holly says
I just made this for Andy y family loved it!! It’s definitely going into the regular rotation! I made it to the recipe except i used organic basmati rice, cooked perfectly and added more broccoli and used some spicy Mrs. Dash to spice it up a bit, yummmm! Thank you!
Stephanie says
I can’t wait to try this recipe, but I’d like to use minute rice to make things go quicker… how would you adjust the times to use it?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I don’t cook with minute rice so I’m not sure. Does it require the same amount of liquid as long grain rice? I would just watch it and pull it off when the rice is tender. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
Sara Leonard says
I loved this recipe but it was a little confusing to follow. There was no mention of where to use the garlic and on one instruction it says to add the broccoli without disturbing the rice and letting it cook for 5-7 min. Then the next direction says to add the broccoli again. I also didn’t know whether to use fresh broccoli or frozen. So I cooked my rice and broccoli separate and added them in. Otherwise really yummy!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Sara! So sorry you found it confusing. Both the broccoli and rice are raw/uncooked for this recipe. I’ve updated the recipe to reflect that so I hope it helps. Glad you enjoyed it!
Mary says
I think next time I’ll presteam the broccoli first.
Mary says
Step 6 has me adding broccoli….but Step 7 says to add the broccoli. When to add the broccoli??