EASY BLACK BEANS AND RICE WITH SAUSAGE

Craving something hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to whip up? This Black Beans And Rice With Sausage recipe is your answer; the smoky sausage combined with the earthy beans and fluffy rice creates a symphony of flavors that’s both satisfying and comforting. Get ready to experience a culinary hug in a bowl that you’ll want to make again and again!

Ingredients

For the Black Beans and Rice:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado

Equipment:

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and chopped bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

1. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. This step adds a ton of flavor, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Add the Spices

1. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This blooms the spices and intensifies their flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

1. Add the rinsed and drained black beans, diced tomatoes (with their juice), rinsed rice, and chicken broth to the skillet.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Simmer and Cook

1. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Be sure to check occasionally to make sure the rice isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan and add a little more broth if needed.

Step 6: Fluff and Serve

1. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
3. Top with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado.

Troubleshooting & Tips for Black Beans And Rice With Sausage Perfection

Rice Issues?

Is your rice not cooking evenly? This is a common problem! Make sure you’re using the correct ratio of liquid to rice (usually 2:1). Also, avoid lifting the lid too often while it’s simmering, as this lets out steam and can affect the cooking process. If the rice is still a bit crunchy after the recommended cooking time, add a splash more broth and continue simmering until it’s tender.

Spice Level Adjustment

Not a fan of heat? Simply omit the cayenne pepper! You can also adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your taste. On the other hand, if you like it spicy, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.

Sausage Substitutions

Don’t have smoked sausage on hand? No problem! You can use any type of sausage you like, such as Italian sausage, chorizo, or even chicken sausage. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a vegetarian option, you can use plant-based sausage or simply omit the sausage altogether and add extra vegetables.

Variations To Kick It Up A Notch

Spice it Up with Adobo

Add a tablespoon of adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers) for a smoky, spicy kick. Be careful – it can be quite potent!

Veggie Boost

Throw in some corn kernels, zucchini, or chopped spinach for extra nutrients and flavor. Add them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking so they don’t get mushy.

Coconut Milk Twist

Substitute half of the chicken broth with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical twist. This works especially well with spicier sausages.

What To Serve With Your Black Beans And Rice With Sausage

This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of sides. A simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the beans and rice. You could also serve it with some warm tortillas or cornbread for dipping. Feeling adventurous? Try topping it with a fried egg for a protein-packed meal!

If you’re looking to create a full-blown Southwestern feast, consider adding some Street Corn Chicken Bowl or a quick and easy Southwest Skillet.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make-Ahead Magic

This Black Beans And Rice With Sausage is a fantastic make-ahead dish! You can prepare it up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors actually meld together and become even more delicious over time. Just be sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.

Freezing for Future Feasts

Yes, you can freeze this dish! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Reheating Like a Pro

When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out. If reheating in the microwave, cover the dish to trap moisture. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Why This Recipe Rocks

Honestly, what’s not to love? This Black Beans And Rice With Sausage is a budget-friendly, one-pot wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, and it’s endlessly customizable to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your repertoire. And if you really like sausage with black beans and rice, then you might also enjoy this recipe for Spicy Sausage Black Bean Rice. Or, you can try making Taco Rice Bowl Magic and swapping the ground beef for sausage!

Other Recipes You May Love

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also want to try some of these similar dishes: a flavorful Sheet Pan Sausage Perfection for easy cleanup or even a bowl of Taco Rice Bowl Magic. There are endless possibilities when you’re using sausage and rice!

So, grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a Black Beans And Rice With Sausage masterpiece! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll be making for years to come. Enjoy!

Easy Black Beans and Rice with Sausage

This hearty and flavorful Black Beans and Rice with Sausage recipe combines smoky sausage, earthy beans, and fluffy rice for a comforting and satisfying meal. It’s a budget-friendly, one-pot dish perfect for busy weeknights and can be easily customized to suit your taste.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper any color
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: chopped cilantro
• Optional toppings: sour cream
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese
• Optional toppings: avocado

Equipment

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• knife
• cutting board
• fork

Method

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and chopped bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, until fragrant.
4. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
6. Add the rinsed and drained black beans, diced tomatoes (with their juice), rinsed rice, and chicken broth to the skillet.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Check occasionally to make sure the rice isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan and add a little more broth if needed.
9. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
10. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
11. Top with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado.

Notes

For a spicier dish, add a tablespoon of adobo sauce. For extra nutrients and flavor, add corn kernels, zucchini, or chopped spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Substitute half of the chicken broth with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical twist. This dish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out. If rice is not cooking evenly, use the correct ratio of liquid to rice (usually 2:1), avoid lifting the lid too often while it’s simmering, add a splash more broth and continue simmering until it’s tender. For sausage substitutions, you can use any type of sausage you like, such as Italian sausage, chorizo, or even chicken sausage. For a vegetarian option, you can use plant-based sausage or simply omit the sausage altogether and add extra vegetables.