Looking for a quick, easy, and satisfying weeknight dinner? This kielbasa and rice recipe with vegetables is a family favorite that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
It’s the perfect one-pan meal for busy weeknights when you need a delicious and healthy dinner on the table fast. I’ve been making this simple kielbasa and rice for years because it’s so adaptable – you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, fresh or frozen. This recipe has truly been a lifesaver with my hectic work schedule, ensuring my family enjoys home-cooked goodness without spending hours in the kitchen.
Kielbasa and cauliflower rice
If you are low carb you can skip the rice and change out for zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice. I can personally say that spaghetti squash pairs very well with the kielbasa and vegetable mixture!
Vegetarian/Vegan?
If you are a vegetarian or vegan you can leave the kielbasa out and replace the rice with quinoa for protein. Beans can also be added to increase protein, black beans would be my go to variety and they taste delicious!
Protein Options
As mentioned above, beans can be added to this dish easily and I think they would complement the dish alongside the kielbasa very nicely. However, if you are not a kielbasa fan here are some substitutions I recommend:
Chicken Breast – Chunks of grilled chicken or pan seared chicken would be absolutely amazing in combination with the rice and vegetables.
Ground red meat – I have made this recipe with ground beef before and it is delicious. If you are a big game hunter like we are, I would also think that ground wild game would be equally as delicious! I’ll let you know what I think of ground elk in this recipe!
Ground Pork – I have used pork sausage links in this recipe before and they tasted incredible!
The amazing thing about rice and vegetables is they pair so well with any protein. If I couldn’t get to the grocery store due to budget reasons, I would use whatever I had on hand in my freezer.
Keep it budget friendly
One thing that I have learned over the years as my cooking skills have grown is the ability to adapt recipes to what I have on hand and readily available. This became especially important when I was living on a very tight budget! I didn’t always have fresh garlic on hand so I would use garlic powder instead. If I didn’t have bell peppers on hand I would use a bag of frozen veggies in the freezer. Most recipes can be adapted and altered to fit the needs of you and your family, both dietary and financially!
Cooking Rice
With modern appliances cooking rice has become easier than ever. I typically cook my rice with a rice cooker because I can set it and forget it! However, my husband didn’t have a rice cooker when we started dating so he had to teach me how to cook rice in a pan on the stove.
Both methods are great and both can be used to make this delicious recipe.
To cook rice in a rice cooker, follow the directions that came with the appliance. For my rice cooker I add one cup of rice and 1.5 cups of filtered water to the rice cooker. Then I push the switch cook and allow the rice cooker to go through its cycle.
To cook rice in a pan on the stove I follow the same rice to water ratio. One cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, I reduce the heat to a simmer until the water has been absorbed by the rice. This will typically take about 15 minutes.
Prepping and Cooking the Vegetables
Typically I use onions and bell peppers in this kielbasa and rice dish. I have found that this is my preference, though I have used zucchini and kale in this recipe as well.
The onion prep is easy, cut an onion in half and dice up one of the halves. Save the other half and use it in another meal later in the week.
Rinse the bell peppers thoroughly (they are on the dirty dozen list). Once rinsed cut the peppers in half from top to bottom.
Remove all of the stems, the veins and seeds from the inside of the pepper.
To dice the peppers, first cut the halves into slices. Then cut the slices perpendicular to create a diced chunk.
Prepping Kielbasa
The wonderful thing about making kielbasa and rice is that most kielbasa is already cooked. The only prep work I do for the kielbasa, is slicing the sausage into coins. Cutting the kielbasa this way ensures a piece of kielbasa in every bite.
Tips
- Use broth to cook your rice. Using broth instead of water will increase the nutrients and elevate flavor.
- Use a pan that is big enough to combine all of the ingredients. This will save on the amount of dishes used!
- Use a quality fat to sauté the vegetables. This can be tallow, high quality butter, olive oil or avocado oil. Using butter or a flavorful oil can add a unique flavor profile.
- Add soy sauce or coconut aminos to add flavor.
- Add some red pepper flakes or chili powder to add a bit of spice.
- This recipe is a perfect meal for leftovers and can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (depending on your settings).
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes.
Watch how I make Kielbasa and Rice here:
Kielbasa and Rice with Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Kielbasa
- ½ medium onion diced
- 4-5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup dry rice
- 1 small zucchini diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 Tbsp neutral flavored oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Measure, rinse and start rice.
- While rice is cooking, dice up your vegetables and kielbasa.
- Heat up skillet with oil of choice
- Add onion, zucchini and bell peppers to heated skillet. Cook 10-15 minutes, until onions are translucent and zucchini cooked through.
- Add minced garlic. Cook 2 more minutes.
- Remove vegetable mixture from skillet and set aside.
- Add sliced kielbasa to skillet and brown. Kielbasa is already cooked, we are only browning for flavor.
- Once kielbasa is browned add vegetable mixture back to the skillet and combine. Add seasonings.
- To serve top rice with vegetable and kielbasa mixture. Or combine rice, kielbasa and vegetables into the skillet for an all in one option!
Notes
- When using broth to cook rice instead of water, I use the same ration of rice to water – 1:1.5.
- Using a high quality butter or a flavorful olive oil will add a depth of flavor to this dish.
- If soy sauce or soy sauce alternative is desired, add at the same time as adding seasonings.
You may also like these easy weeknight recipes!
- Chocolate Maple Pecan Pie
- Perfect Dinner Rolls
- Amazing Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
- Instant Pot Cheesy Chili Mac
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