Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar
This hearty Southern-inspired skillet combines tender black-eyed peas and smoky sausage with melted cheddar for a comforting summer meal. This southern-inspired comfort food ready in about 30 minutes pairs sliced 1/2-inch thick smoked sausage, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, sliced 1/2-inch thick smoked sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed canned black-eyed peas
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy on edges.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 4 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cans (15 oz each) drained and rinsed black-eyed peas, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.
- Step 4: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly on top, cover skillet, and cook for 3 more minutes until cheese melts.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Skillet Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Sausage and Cheddar?
Southern comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
