Cowboy Skillet Supper
Cowboy Skillet Supper is a quick and easy one-pan dinner, perfect for your tired ranch hands! A sweet and smoky combination of beef sausage, onions, and ranch-style flavored beans cooked together in your favorite barbecue sauce.
This is one of those weeknight, one-pot pantry meals that uses simple ingredients and is ready in about 15-minutes! We serve this Cowboy dish with a warm slice of Southern skillet cornbread or a good ole’ slice of white bread and a big glass of Southern sweet tea!
Why you’ll love this recipe!
Grab your bandana and cast iron skillet, take off your Cowboy hat and chaps, and settle in for some delicious, quick and easy ranch chow!
The best thing about this “home on the range” recipe (other than the fact that its quick and cheap) is that it’s filling, high in protein and high in fiber. When served over white rice (or brown rice), this skillet supper forms a complete protein.
- Nothing gourmet – pantry items you probably already have in your kitchen, camper or ranch wagon
- It’s super easy and quick to make, has really nice flavor and texture, and hushes those growling stomachs!
- Versatile – make it as mild or spicy as you like. Want spicy? Add in a little cayenne pepper, chili powder or Louisiana hot sauce.
- Your little “ranch hands” will love this served over elbow noodles and topped with cheese!
Much like homemade Sloppy Joe’s – this skillet supper doesn’t take a lot of prep work, doesn’t break the bank, and is minimal clean-up.
Here’s what you’ll need
I make Cowboy skillet supper in a cast-iron skillet, to get that full “ranch-cooking” effect. You can use any type of skillet you have on hand.
- Sausage – I use link smoked sausage, (specifically Chappel Hill Smoked Garlic Sausage), but you can use whatever kind of sausage your family prefers. If you don’t have sausage, you can substitute with lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Oil – vegetable oil, canola oil or olive oil; just a little to saute the onions
- Onion – sweet yellow onion, white onion- either one works
- Canned beans – I usually use a can of Ranch Style brand beans, but you can use canned pinto beans or black beans if you like.
- Barbecue sauce – sweet, smoky, whatever flavor you have on hand. I use smoked beef sausage with a sweet barbecue sauce; this combination creates a “sweet and spicy” skillet supper.
- Rice or pasta – optional – serve this over white rice, brown rice, or pasta- elbow noodles work great in this Cowboy recipe
Here’s how to make it
In a large skillet, add a smidgen of oil and saute sliced onion until tender. Add sliced sausage, beans and barbecue sauce. How easy is that? Cowboy skillet supper is perfect for the budget-minded, college students or busy weeknights!
Type of beans
I’ve tried making this recipe several ways, and I find that a can of Ranch Style brand beans tastes best. They’re prepared canned beans that are in a tomato/paprika sauce. If you use these canned beans, no need to rinse them, just pour in the sauce, too!
Recipe tips
- If you use canned pinto or black beans, rinse and drain them first to remove any additives or preservatives in their canning juice
- I like to use a smoked sausage which gives this dish more flavor, but you can use whatever flavor link sausage you like
- If you wanna add a little more ingredients to make this recipe stretch, add in a drained can of corn, diced green chiles or cooked elbow noodles.
This hearty Cowboy skillet supper comes together in no time and has been many a lifesaver after a busy day at the corral!
Related recipes
- Cast iron Skillet Cornbread
- Beef Tips and Brown Gravy
- Swedish Meatballs
- Sauteed Yellow Squash and Onions
- Natchitoches Meat Pie
- Best Hot Pastrami Sandwich
- Homemade Sloppy Joe
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
Cowboy Skillet Supper
Ingredients
- 1 lb all-beef link smoked sausage; sliced
- 2 tablespoons oil, vegetable or canola
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 15 ounces ranch style or western style beans , don't drain or rinse the beans unless you're using canned black beans or canned pinto beans; See recipe notes
- 1 ½ cups sweet or smoky barbecue sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice or noodles (optional)
Instructions
- Add oil to cast-iron skillet and bring to medium low heat2 tablespoons oil, vegetable or canola
- Add onions to hot oil and cook until tender1 large onion, sliced
- Add sliced sausage and ranch flavored beans (with their juice) to onions1 lb all-beef link smoked sausage; sliced, 15 ounces ranch style or western style beans
- Add barbecue sauce and paprika; combine1 ½ cups sweet or smoky barbecue sauce
- Allow to cook for 20 minutes, or until sausage and beans are heated thoroughly
- Serve as is, or serve over prepared rice or pasta2 cups cooked rice or noodles
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
