Cowboy Skillet Supper is a sweet and smoky combination of beef sausage, onions, and pinto beans cooked together and served over rice or noodles.
This is one of those weeknight pantry meals - perfect for when you don't wanna cook!
Simple ingredients and ready in about 15-minutes!
This "go-to" one-pan recipe is a staple at our house!
Why you'll love this recipe!
When you're too tired to create a culinary masterpiece, this quick and easy one-pot-recipe is your saving grace!
Nothing gourmet - pantry items you probably already have in your kitchen
It's super easy and quick to make, has really nice flavor and texture, and hushes those growling stomachs!
Make it as mild or spicy as you like
Here's what you'll need
Smoked sausage (whatever kind you like), an onion, canned beans (pinto or Ranch™ style brand), a little paprika and barbecue sauce! I use a smoked sausage with a sweet barbecue sauce; this combination creates a "sweet and spicy" combination.
Here's how to make it
In a large skillet, saute sliced sausage and onion; add remaining ingredients and serve over rice or noodles! How easy is that?
Cowboy skillet supper is perfect for budget-minded, college students or busy weeknights!
Type of sausage
You can use any kind of sausage you prefer. If you want to reduce fat content, use turkey sausage.
Type of beans
I've tried making this recipe several ways, and I find that homemade pinto beans taste best; however, you might want to try black beans or even Ranch Style™ Beans.
Ranch Style beans are 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!
If you use canned pinto or black beans, rinse and drain them first to remove any additives or preservatives.
Make it vegan or vegetarian
A great way to convert this recipe to vegan/vegetarian is to use canned jackfruit instead of meat. Simply rinse the jackfruit, then add it to the onions.
Jackfruit absorbs flavors like mushrooms, so after you've added the jackfruit to the skillet, pour in your favorite barbecue sauce and let it cook for about 15 minutes (on low heat) so the jackfruit has ample time to absorb the flavors.
You might want to serve this Cowboy Skillet Supper with a warm batch of homemade cornbread!
Related recipes
- Italian Skillet Supper
- 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
📋 Recipe

Cowboy Skillet Supper
Ingredients
- 1 lb all-beef smoked sausage link; sliced
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ medium yellow onion sliced
- 1 can pinto beans rinsed and drained
- 2 teaspoons smoky paprika
- 1 ½ cups sweet or smoky barbecue sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice or noodles
Instructions
- Add oil to cast-iron skillet and bring to medium low heat2 tablespoons oil
- Add onions to hot oil and cook until tender½ medium yellow onion
- Rinse and drain pinto beans; slice sausage into bite sized pieces
- Add sliced sausage and beans to onions1 lb all-beef smoked sausage, 1 can pinto beans
- Add barbecue sauce and paprika; combine1 ½ cups sweet or smoky barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons smoky paprika
- Allow to cook for 20 minutes, or until sausage and beans are heated thoroughly
- Serve over prepared rice or noodles2 cups cooked rice or noodles
Notes
Nutrition Estimate