SKILLET BEANS AND RICE WITH KIELBASA – rice, pinto beans, and smoky pork kielbasa is combined for a delicious and quick one-pan meal!
Happy Monday, friends! Hope you all had a good weekend.
Ours was filled with basketball…and baseball.
Yep. Baseball season is officially here. One more game of basketball left and then my life will revolve all around bats and mitts.
Paul plays in an adult league, Trevor moved up to Single A. AND this year Paul will be coaching. Have mercy! Tell me again why I agreed to all of this?
So, I’m going be in even more need of one pot and slow cooker recipes.
This beans and rice with kielbasa is my new favorite. Because…beans. And rice. And kielbasa. I mean, come on. This is so. me. All my favorite things in one skillet. And so so easy!
I made it twice in the same week and I know it’s going to be a staple in the coming months for eternity.
Heats up really well for left overs the next day, too!
Be sure to watch the video below and read all the positive reviews in the comments from so many people who have made this recipe and loved it!
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 package (14 ounce) polska kielbasa, diced
- 1 medium sweet onion , diced
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ounce) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
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In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high. Add the kielbasa and onion; sauté until onions become soft and translucent (about 3 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add in the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
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Stir in the rice, chicken broth, beans, Italian seasoning, cracked red pepper, and a dash of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is done, stirring once toward the end to prevent sticking.
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Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Some other Easy Skillet recipes you might like!
Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet – this fast one-pan skillet dish is filling, full of flavor, and so easy for St. Patrick’s Day or any weeknight dinner!
Cornbread Hamburger Skillet – cornbread meats sloppy joes! This super tasty dish is easy, quick, inexpensive, and only requires one pan!
Baked Rice with Sausage and Broccoli – rice, broccoli, and Italian sausage come together for a complete delicious one-pot meal!
Melissa says
Hello! This has become one of my easy go to recipes! Question…have you ever used sausage instead of kielbasa? Only reason I ask is because I have some cooked sausages and wondering if it would taste alright if I put them in this recipe?!
Amy @Belly Full says
I haven’t ever used anything other than kielbasa in this dish, but I’m sure it would be delicious. Try it!
Kathy Nino says
I’ve made this using Italian sausage and adding spinach and it’s delicious. Today I’m going to try it in the crock pot. Just putting everything in and hoping for the best. I anticipate I’ll have to add more broth as the rice cooks and absorbs it.
Kathy Nino says
OK don’t do what I did. Used almost twice the liquid and the rice cooked inconsistently, some was cooked, some uncooked, some mush. It still tasted great but I was more bothered by the crunchy rice. If I was to do this again in the crock pot I would use instant rice in the last few minutes of cooking.
Alli says
Has anyone else tried this with Italian sausage instead of the kielbasa?
Kathy Nino says
Yes and it’s delicious.
Lora says
Loved this! Added a chopped bell pepper. Didn’t have pinto beans so used kidney beans. I think this is a dish you can add to, or take away from, very easy and very yummy. Will make this again and again. Big hit with the family.
Laura Strnad says
This was a very easy and good meal to make. We used dried pinto beans cooked on the stove and brown rice.
Lisa says
I love this recipe and make it often- I am going to be serving this for 14 people-I was thinking of tripling the entire recipe.
Any suggestions?
Randy says
I added 1 can of diced Italian tomatoes. It was great and gave it an extra taste. YUMMY
Deb says
I used a can of small red beans, added 1/2 cup of diced mixed peppers (red, green and orange) and increased the rice and broth by 50%. Used ground cayenne to taste rather than the crushed red pepper. Huge success!
Melori Rubino says
Turned out Great! I browned the kielbasa before onion like others had suggested. I did need to add an additional 1/2 cup of broth to soften rice. Family loved it!
Kj says
This was just what I was looking for my quick Kielbasa dinner tonight. I started with the Kielbasa on high for a bit just to get a little brown going on it before adding the onions . I used Jasmine rice which made it creamy. I also cooked up a cup of frozen carrots & peas & stirred them in at the end along with some sesame seeds. My hubby loved it , it’s a keeper . Also I believe I’ll adjust for more rice next time for the ratio to meat. I’m thinking it also needs a little crunch, maybe edamame or pine nuts . Good job !!
Susan Moscato says
Delicious! We all enjoyed seconds! I also loved the fact that it was so easy to make. Thank you for sharing.
Stephanie says
Used cauliflower rice and adjusted the broth and turned out great! I also added a few bacon pieces. Yum!
melissa givens says
amazing!!!! love everything about this recipe! super comfort food!
we EASILY doubled this recipe in 1 pan and it turned out amazing, family of 5 with left overs.
Karen Benham says
This sounds great. Making as I type. Substituting black eyed peas for beans and I’m going to stir in a little arugula when done just to add some greens!! I hope it will be wonderful!!
Nancy McCullough says
Where’s the PIN button?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hover your mouse over the image, thanks!
Ashley @ GrowingSpangs says
Exactly what I was looking for – I needed inspiration for something new with kielbasa in this chilly weather. Thanks!
Jess says
Same here! These chilly October days have me searching for kielbasa recipes :D This one looks to be just what I’m looking for :)
Shandy says
I only have instant rice. Will this work?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Shandy – unfortunately, no. It will result in mushy grains from cooking too long.
Shandy says
I just used instant. About a 1 1\4 cups. I booked everything first for about 5 minutes or so and then added the instant rice for about another 7 minutes. Turned out great!
Miranda says
I also only have instant. Did you cook the rice first? Then add it to your sausage mixture? Did you alter the chicken broth ratio?
Emily says
Tried last night – a hit with every family member, no leftovers!
The only sub I made was using Great Northern white beans instead of pinto, only because I didn’t have any whole pintos that weren’t dry. I also added less red pepper flakes. Waited until the end to add salt (mine needed none.)
Thanks!!
Kelly says
I want try this tonight for dinner. I have four adults and four kids to feed. Any suggestions for doubling it? Would that be enough? Suggestions for sides that would go with this? Thanks!
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Kelly – doubling the recipe would be enough for 8 people, but the only way to truly double it would be to make two separate skillet batches. I’ve never served this with a side because the rice is the starch and the kielbasa/beans is the protein. It’s quite filling.
Kelly says
Thank you!
Angie says
Cornbread, yummy! ?
A. Daniel says
Hubs just made this for lunch……it is truly delicious! There are so many wonderful flavors and will so enjoy the leftovers!
I love brown rice and will try to sneak that substitution in next time, just to see what it tastes like. But as it, oh my goodness, this is such a keeper!
Thanks for sharing!
Tracy says
OH YES to this recipe! I’ve made it twice now and both times have been a household home run! The leftovers are even better the next day! This is now a go-to for me!
Amy @Belly Full says
So happy to hear it, Tracy! My family absolutely loves this recipe – definitely a favorite!
Beth says
Do u use instant rice?
Amy @Belly Full says
No. Regular long (or short) grain white rice.
Beth says
Thank u!
Tina says
This recipe is wonderful! Loved it! Doubled it the next time to feed 5 of us plus leftovers! Going to try it tonight with Black beans because that’s what I have on hand.
Julie says
How was it with the black beans? Just wondering because I prefer them over pinto beans.
Trena says
Black Beans were delish… family loved it.
Dominique says
First and foremost absolutely delicious! Love this recipe and followed to a T! Big hit, wife loved it…and she’s a chef.
I was wondering though, it says serves 4 so what is the serving size? Is it 1 cup?
Amy @BellyFull says
Hi Dominique – I don’t know if it’s exactly a cup. I based it on how a reasonable family of four (like mine) would eat. Glad you loved it!
Deborah says
We made this yesterday and it was delicious! I didn’t have chicken broth so I substituted chicken stock. It looked exactly like your picture. Thanks for sharing this with us! I took a picture. Would send it to you if I could. ?
Stephanie says
Made this last night since these are normal ingredients I have on hand in my kitchen. Family enjoyed it! All the leftovers where finished today which is not normal in my house. Only thing I will change is add a pinch less of red pepper flakes. Mine was a tad to spicy. But we did enjoy it and it will become a regular in my house. Easy quick go to meal!
Whitney says
I just made this literally 10 minutes ago. It was amazing! I did not have a regular onion so I used a red onion. I also used turkey kielbasa because it not very greasy. Perfecto! Can’t wait to brag to my co-workers who always ask about my leftovers, they’ll be begging for the recipe! Thank you :)
Dawn Chesser says
Okay, I think this is one of the best recipes I’ve come across in a while. I made this it with the following modifications, due to what I had on hand. When I cooked the onions, garlic, and kielbasa I added the dry rice and let it get golden. Instead of pintos I used cannellini beans. I also added a can of petite diced drained tomatoes. I know it is unfair to offer feedback when you have adapted the recipe, but boy, oh boy was it delicious.
Becca says
I subbed cumin for Italian seasoning and added a can of chopped tomatoes and some frozen corn…topped with cilantro and lime wedges….nice twist and thank you for the one pot meal! Big hit!!
Felishia says
This is so, so yummy! My husband and I already love rice and beans but the kielbasa really does the trick! A good recipe to double and have throughout the week for quick lunches, too. Yum, thanks for sharing your recipe.
Sue says
I have to say I was skeptical of all the rave reviews. I’ve made many a recipe based on them and then thought, what were they thinking! ? I followed the recipe to a T, assuming the family would eat it with their noses turned up. (I like to make them my guinea pigs from time to time). What I didn’t expect to hear was my son saying, “hey, can I kill the rest of this? ” and the thumbs up from everyone. Well done Amy, we’ll done!
Amy @BellyFull says
Happy to hear it, Sue!
Gretchen says
I made this tonight and all my kids loved it! Thanks for sharing! ?
Diane Lambert says
would it be just as good if I added black beans instead of pinto beans?? and brown rice ?? I just tasted black beans and wow ,they are so good…. thanks for the receipe..
Amy @BellyFull says
Hi Diane – subbing in black beans is purely a personal preference. And since brown rice usually takes longer to cook, you’d need to adjust somehow for that. Try it!
Tamara says
I cooked this tonight but doubled it. My rice was still “crunchy”. What could I have done wrong?
Amy @BellyFull says
Hi Tamara – since I wasn’t in the kitchen with you, I honestly couldn’t say. But doubling it would alter the recipe, and thus the results. Maybe your pan was too small, which wouldn’t allow the liquid to circulate enough? I have made this countless times, as have so many others without any issues. Sorry!
Pailey says
I have made this a couple times now and love it! Wondering if it is adaptable for the crock pot? I’ve been using brown rice and am having trouble getting the timing just right. Thanks for the recipe!
Tristin says
This was one of those recipes where the outcome was greater than the sum of its parts. My 3 & 6 year old daughters had seconds after inhaling their first serving. Thanks for sharing this! It was a huge success for something so simple. :)
Amy @BellyFull says
Yay! This is a hit with my young kids, too…and one of the only ways they enjoy beans. Small victories!
Tiffani says
Thinking of adding some finely diced jalapeño and cilantro instead of parsley… For those of you who’ve had this, does that sound like a flavor mismatch?
Tiffani says
Incase anyone was wondering the cilantro and jalapeño were delicious :) Would also be good inside a soft tortilla. Thanks for the recipe!
Deana Holstein says
That sounds amazing…I’m going to have to try it that way next.
Eva says
I made this tonight and followed the recipe exactly. My son loved it. I glad I found this on Pinterest. Thanks for a quick meal idea.
Amy @BellyFull says
So glad you liked it, Eva. And yay for Pinterest!
Ronda says
I had 2 6 oz. packages of Southwest chicken strips that I needed to use up. I used them instead of the kielbasa. I also subbed in some cilantro instead of parsley. YUMMM!!!
Bri says
Do you think these meals make enough for a family of 4 to have leftovers??
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Bri! – these recipes are meant to serve 4, but if you cut back slightly per person OR if your family doesn’t typically eat a lot to begin with, then these meals could provide enough left overs for 2 people for lunch the next day.
Carley says
I just found your recipe on Pinterest. I’m sure this is a stupid question but is the rice already cooked when you add it?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Carley! No, it’s raw when you add it to the pan. Enjoy!
Joanne says
I remember the days when my brother was in basketball, baseball, AND soccer. Two baseball leagues, by the way. I’m pretty sure we didn’t eat together for weeks on end!
Laura says
Making this now. How did you dice the Kielbasa before it was cooked? I just had to take the casing off and chop it up but yours looks different lol!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Laura – I diced it small (like the size of the beans…maybe slightly larger.) Kielbasa is cooked, so there isn’t any casing to remove.
Laura says
I guess we are just familiar with different types of kielbasa :) I buy it in the meat section at Publix where the other Italian & bratwurst sausages are that are all uncooked…. It turned out good though, just cooked a few minutes more before adding the garlic!
Stephanie says
This looks delish, Amy! And, of course, who doesn’t love a one-pot meal. I love that Trevor and Paul have baseball together, too!
amanda @ fake ginger says
I wish my kids would play baseball! They’re all about soccer and I find soccer SO BORING.
This looks amazing. All my faves too!
Amanda says
This is a great busy night meal! Love this recipe!
yvette says
I made this today. I had to substitute the kielbasa with chunks of ham and let me say not only is this recipe so simple to make but it is incredibly delicious. I give it a 10 and will definitely cook it again and again. Thank you.
Amy @Very Culinary says
Ham would be delicious, too! So happy to hear it, thanks Yvette!
heather @french press says
Amy, I could LIVE in easy meals like this one :) looks SO good
Ann (The Fountain Avenue Kitchen) says
This looks so flavorful and I love the simplicity…perfect weeknight meal!
Jessica says
This looks delicious, what an easy recipe!
Amy @Very Culinary says
SUPER easy, Jessica. But doesn’t skimp on flavor. Love dishes like this!
Melissa says
*singing* These are a few of my favorite things! ;D
Amy @Very Culinary says
Oh Melissa. Totally! If you don’t make this, I’ll come beat you with a stick! :P
Bud says
Can I make this recipe in a electric pressure cooker
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Can totally see how you would want to eat this for eternity!
Amy @Very Culinary says
YES. I wish I was having it again tonight!
Cookbook Queen says
Love simple dinners like this! And I just so happen to have turkey kielbasa in the freezer.
Amy @Very Culinary says
turkey kielbasa would be good, too!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Why are smoked meats so insanely delicious?
Amy @Very Culinary says
I don’t know, Liz. They must be sprinkled with pixy dust or tears of a unicorn! Lol.
Elissa says
I’m probably in the minority but I hate beans. Do you think substituting mushrooms would work? Maybe even sub half a cup of the stock with some white wine? Thoughts?
Amy @Belly Full says
I can only attest to the results of the recipe as written, but try it!