Spicy Sausage Rice Bowl with Black Beans
This Spicy Sausage Rice Bowl is a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Featuring spicy black beans, savory sausage, and fluffy rice, it's easily customizable with your favorite toppings and spice level.
Equipment
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Medium skillet
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Can opener
- Mixing spoon
- Bowls for serving
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste!
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound smoked sausage like kielbasa or andouille
- 2 cups cooked rice white or brown, your choice!
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt optional
- Shredded cheddar cheese optional
- Diced avocado optional
- Chopped cilantro optional
- Hot sauce optional
- Lime wedges optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the chopped green and red bell peppers and cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, diced tomatoes (undrained), vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the flavors have melded and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- While the black beans are simmering, cook the sliced sausage in a separate skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. If your sausage is particularly fatty, drain off some of the excess grease.
- Spoon a generous serving of cooked rice into a bowl.
- Top with the spicy black beans and the cooked sausage.
- Add your favorite toppings, like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, and a dash of hot sauce. A squeeze of lime juice is also fantastic!
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, replace the sausage with plant-based sausage or roasted vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving. To freeze the black bean mixture, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. For a milder flavor, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. Adding a pinch of sugar can balance the spice if it's too intense.