Orzo is one of my favorite types of pasta, and this creamy sausage orzo is a one-dish main meal that packs protein and veggies in a delectable sauce.
Ingredients
- olive oil: 1 Tbsp
- to 3 links Italian sausage: 2 piece
- onion: 1 piece (diced)
- red bell pepper: 1 piece (diced)
- garlic: 4 clove (minced)
- tomatoes: 1 can (14 1/2 ounce can, divided, diced)
- italian seasoning: 0.75 tsp
- orzo: 1 cup
- 1/4 cups chicken broth: 1 piece
- half and half: 0.25 cup
- spinach, or more as desired: 1 cup
- freshly shredded Parmesan cheese: 0.5 cup
- pinch crushed red pepper: 1 piece
Metric Conversion
Stages of cooking
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Add oil to a heavy skillet. Turn heat to medium high heat. Add the sausage links, and cook on all four sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Move sausage to the side. Add onions and bell pepper; cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 45 seconds.
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Pour 1/4 of tomatoes with liquid into the skillet. Take remaining tomatoes and blend until liquified; pour blended tomatoes into the skillet. Stir in Italian seasoning, orzo, and chicken broth until well blended.
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Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove links and slice into coin-size pieces.
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Add half and half and spinach; allow spinach to wilt down, about 2 minutes. Stir in sliced sausage, Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve immediately.
