This easy Orzo Recipe with Italian Sausage and Peppers is a filling and quick meal – done in under 30 minutes! This is perfect for kids *and* adults!
If you love Italian Sausage, you’ll also love this Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Sweet Potatoes, this Savory Italian Tart, or this Bean, Sausage and Beef Burrito Recipe.
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You all know I love a good weeknight dinner. I love, love, love it when I can get dinner on the table in 30 minutes. That is just one reason I love this orzo recipe – 30 minutes and done. And as if that wasn’t enough, I usually have all of these ingredients on hand, so this is a great dinner idea for when you don’t know what to make for dinner!
This recipe has everything you need in one dish – your protein, your grain, your vegetable. I don’t even serve this with a side dish!
This is a winning dinner idea – an orzo recipe that you all need to try!
What is Orzo?
Have you ever been confused by orzo? Is it rice? Or is it pasta?
It is most definitely pasta, although it does resemble rice. Made from flour, but shaped like rice, it’s easy to see how these can be confused. And it doesn’t help that orzo means barley in Italian, although most orzos on the market do not contain barley.
While orzo and rice are different, you will sometimes see orzo being used in risotto-like dishes, substituting in orzo for the rice.
How Do You Cook Orzo?
Since orzo is pasta, you cook it like you would cook most other pastas – by boiling it. Because it is small, you’ll want to make sure you use a colander that will catch the orzo. Most orzos will boil for 7-10 minutes for al dente.
For extra flavor, you can boil the orzo in chicken broth, like it is done in this recipe.
More Orzo Recipes
Orzo with Zucchini, Mushrooms and Sausage
Toasted Orzo Chicken Soup
Shrimp Orzo Skillet
Shrimp with Orzo and Tomato
Orzo with Italian Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 oz pork sausage casings removed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 12 oz jar roasted red peppers diced (about 2 peppers)
- 2 plum tomatoes chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine the chicken broth and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid. Place the orzo in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned and cooked through, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the peppers and tomatoes. Continue to cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
- Pour the sausage mixture over the orzo and stir to mix. Add in parsley. Add some of the cooking liquid, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Serve topped with the Parmesan cheese.
Abby says
That looks REALLY good – so good for cold nights!
Psychgrad says
I haven’t noticed any difference in the availability of flat leaf parsley. I know that Italian recipes mainly call for flat leaf parsley, but I can’t really tell a difference between the tastes of flat- and curled-leaf parsley.
I just made orzo the other day and now I want more!
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says
Orzo and sausage with tomatoes? Gee, I can’t see how anyone would hate this dish! That looks awesome!!!!
Patsyk says
What a great weeknight recipe! I could totally see serving this as a simple meal on a busy night. Yum!
LilSis says
Thanks for sharing that recipe! It looks like one my family would love. I make one of Giadas’ other Orzo recipes with the tomatoes, peas, and cream and it’s always a big hit. I love cooking with orzo and will definitely give this one a try.
P.S. I love your blog! I just recently subscribed. Visit us at http://www.bigsislilsis.com
ttfn300 says
Mmmm, delish 🙂
Mary says
This looks delicious! I not only couldn’t find flat leaf parsley, but I couldn’t find a flat leaf parsley plant. I got a cilantro plant too, but that barely lasted 2 weeks before I killed it.
Paula says
Love your orzo! That’s such a fun word to say … ORZO! I love pasta prepared in chicken broth. Funny you mentioned the parsley; I couldn’t find any last weekend and settled for the regular stuff.
noble pig says
No I haven’t had trouble with parsley, that’s odd?
This sounds like a perfect Fall meal!
Gabi says
That sounds delicious. I haven’t had a problem finding it here in SLC.Of course I still have a bit in the garden under the fall leaves until we have a heavy frost.
Hope you’re feeling well! I feel like we should have Hive baby shower for you!
xo
kamailesfood says
Sounds yummy! Have you tried Harmons? They’re usually pretty good about stocking a variety of stuff. I can’t remember if there’s one in Utah county though.
Ingrid says
Looks wonderful! I actually just had for the first time orzo and loved it. I haven’t made it at home yet. I think now’s the time. I’m pretty sure my three will love this.
~ingrid
Erin says
This looks so good! What a great dinner idea!
Colleen says
I love Giada’s recipes! This looks like a great one!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
A scrummy dish! That combo looks really good!
Cheers,
Rosa
kat says
boy they had tons of flat leaf parsley in my grocery store yesterday & I discovered despite the fact it snowed I still have a ton in the garden