20-Minute One-Pan Sausage Rice and Beans Skillet
A quick weeknight dinner combining seasoned sausage, instant rice, and black beans in one skillet. Corn and jalapeño add sweetness and heat, while melted cheddar and sour cream finish this Tex-Mex inspired bowl. The recipe skips cleanup by building flavor in rendered sausage fat. Serve for casual family dinners or meal prep. This version emphasizes speed without sacrificing texture or taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sausage, browned
- 1 bunch scallion, sliced
- 1 whole jalapeño pepper, minced(optional)
- 2 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup instant ricelong-grain white rice1:1.5grain
increases cook time to 15-18 min
- ½ cup water
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- lettuce(optional)
- sour cream(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cook sausage in skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.
- 2
Remove sausage and drain most grease from pan, leaving flavorful residue.
- 3
Stir scallion and jalapeño in same skillet for 3 minutes.
- 4
Add corn, diced tomatoes, instant rice, and water.
- 5
Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer, cover, and cook 5 minutes until rice is tender.
- 6
Stir in cooked sausage and black beans, heat through.
- 7
Top with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and sour cream before serving.
Tips
Do not fully drain sausage fat; the flavorful residue builds depth. Leave about 2 tablespoons for cooking aromatics.
Stir rice mixture gently after simmering to prevent sticking to pan bottom and ensure even heating of beans.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat gently on stovetop with splash of water; cheese and sour cream may separate slightly.
Prepare through step 5 without cheese topping. Cool, store up to 3 days. Reheat, then add fresh cheese and sour cream.
Warm, topped with cheese immediately after cooking. Serve with lime wedges, hot sauce, or cilantro on the side.
Common Mistakes
Do not drain all sausage fat; residue carries flavor for the sauce base.
Do not skip the 3-minute aromatics step; scallion and jalapeño need time to soften and build flavor.
Do not overcook rice beyond 5 minutes; instant rice toughens if simmered too long.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
increases cook time to 15-18 min
FAQ
Can I use regular rice instead of instant?
Yes, but increase water to 1.5 cups and simmer 15-18 minutes covered. Check after 10 minutes to ensure rice does not stick. Texture will be fluffier.
What if I do not have jalapeño?
Omit it entirely or substitute diced bell pepper for sweetness without heat. The skillet works well without spice if family prefers mild flavors.
How long does this keep in the fridge?
Covered, up to 4 days. Reheat on stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water to restore moisture. Cheese may separate; stir in fresh cheese after warming.