Description
Savory italian sausage orzo delivers a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of flavors, blending hearty pasta and spicy sausage. Comfort and elegance merge in this single-skillet wonder you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
Seasonings and Pasta:
- 1 (14.5-ounce / 411 milliliters) can chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup (200 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a spacious pan over medium temperature and transform the Italian sausage into crispy, caramelized crumbles, methodically fragmenting the meat while cooking. Transfer the browned protein to a separate dish.
- Utilize the same pan to sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic, gently coaxing out their aromatic essence until translucent and tender.
- Introduce diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, savory chicken broth, aromatic oregano, fragrant basil, and optional fiery red pepper flakes into the vegetable mixture, allowing the ingredients to meld and simmer.
- Incorporate orzo directly into the bubbling tomato base, stirring periodically to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking, following the recommended pasta preparation time.
- Reintegrate the previously cooked sausage into the orzo mixture, gently folding to distribute flavors evenly and create a harmonious blend.
- Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a generous dusting of grated Parmesan cheese, presenting a vibrant and inviting culinary creation ready to be savored immediately.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive palates.
- Choose lean Italian sausage to reduce overall fat content without compromising flavor.
- Substitute gluten-free orzo for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring consistent texture.
- Consider vegetarian adaptation by replacing sausage with plant-based crumbles or extra vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg