One-Pot Sausage and Orzo with Peppers
In short: Crumbled sausage, sweet peppers and orzo cooked together in one pot with tomato paste and stock, finished with spinach and Parmesan in 30 minutes. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 610 kcal
Orzo, the rice-shaped pasta, cooks directly in the pan like risotto, so it suits one-pot dinners well. Here it simmers in a stock flavored by browned sausage, sweet peppers and tomato paste, absorbing every bit of flavor as it softens. A handful of spinach and some grated Parmesan stirred in at the end make it creamy without any cream. Stir the pot a few times while it cooks so the orzo does not stick.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage meat and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and no pink remains. Spoon off all but 1 tbsp of the fat.
- Add the onion and peppers and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, oregano and paprika and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute so it is coated. Pour in the stock, add the salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every few minutes, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the spinach until wilted, then the Parmesan and lemon juice. Add a splash of water if the mixture is too thick, and taste for salt.
- Let the pot stand for 3 minutes before serving so the orzo thickens slightly.
Tips
- Use sweet or spicy sausages to change the flavor. Spicy ones need no extra chili.
- If you cannot find orzo, use another small pasta such as ditalini or small shells. Check the packet time and adjust the liquid.
Questions and answers
Can I cook orzo directly in the sauce?
Yes. Orzo is small enough to cook in the pan and absorbs the stock as it softens. Stir often so it does not stick.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free small pasta or rice and check the sausage label. Cooking times differ, so follow the packet and adjust the liquid.
How long do leftovers keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge. The orzo keeps absorbing liquid, so loosen it with a splash of stock when you reheat it.
How long does it take to make One-Pot Sausage and Orzo with Peppers?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in One-Pot Sausage and Orzo with Peppers?
About 610 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 610 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
