Sausage Orzo

A little bit of orzo goes a long way! You only need a half pound of the tiny pasta to make a robust and colorful skillet supper. The trick to making the best healthy skillet pasta is to build in flavor at every step. Cooking whole wheat orzo in water seasoned with bouillon granules establishes a savory flavor in the pasta. Adding it to a pan of browned onion and garlic with Italian turkey sausage crumbles builds in even more. Adding pops of fresh tomato, roasted red pepper and fresh basil helps this skillet supper sing with the essence of an Italian summer.

Ingredients for Sausage Orzo

• Water and chicken bouillon granules: Boiling water mixed with chicken bouillon granules softens the orzo to a tender texture while infusing it with savory flavor. You can substitute chicken broth or stock in place of the bouillon, if you like.
• Whole wheat orzo: Orzo is a pasta shape that looks like rice, but has a silky, almost slippery texture once cooked. We choose whole wheat orzo as an easy way to add some nutrition to this skillet meal, but you can use any type of orzo you like.
• Italian turkey sausage links: Removed from their casings, turkey sausage with either mild or spicy Italian seasonings adds lots of flavor to this skillet meal. You can use bulk sausage or pork sausage if you like.
• Onion: Sauteeing some chopped sweet onion helps give the orzo a savory and sweet flavor.
• Garlic: A couple of minced garlic cloves add pleasant pungency to the dish. You can increase this quantity if you desire.
• Plum tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes, lightly chopped add pops of sweet, tangy flavor to offset the rich spice of the sausage.
• Roasted sweet red pepper: Adding chopped roasted red peppers from a jar is an easy way to add subtle smokiness, as well as sweet flavor and bright color to this skillet meal.
• Red pepper flakes: A little spice from crushed red pepper gives this skillet meal lots of flavor. You can skip this if you’re using hot Italian sausage, or add more to your liking.
• Basil: Finishing this skillet meal with chopped fresh basil perfumes the dish with the heady anise aroma reminiscent of summer.
• Parmesan cheese: Where Parmesan cheese is an essential ingredient in Alfredo sauce, the final sprinkle before serving is optional in this sausage orzo recipe. Don’t skip it though; it adds a nutty, savory flavor.

Directions 

Step 1: Boil the orzo

In a large saucepan, bring water and bouillon to a boil. Stir in orzo; return to a boil. Cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain orzo, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid.

Step 2: Cook the sausage and vegetables

In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and crumble sausage with onion and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink, six to eight minutes. Stir in tomatoes, roasted pepper, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and orzo. Heat through over medium-low heat; stir in the reserved cooking liquid to moisten if desired. Remove from heat; stir in basil and cheese.

Test Kitchen Tip: Wait until just before serving to add the basil; it wilts and loses its color very quickly.

Recipe Variations

• Add more vegetables: This skillet meal is already colorful, but you can easily add even more flavor and nutrition by adding diced or shredded zucchini or yellow squash, folding in some baby spinach, or adding some diced mushrooms along with the onions.
• Top it with cheese: Turn this skillet meal into more of a pasta bake by adding a layer of shredded mozzarella on top of the finished skillet before adding the parmesan and basil, and broiling it for a few moments until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown in spots.
• Use precooked sausage links: Instead of browning bulk sausage, fold in slices of precooked chicken or turkey sausage links.
• Make meatballs instead: Form your Italian sausage into bite-sized meatballs instead of browning it in crumbles.

How to Store Sausage Orzo

To store leftover sausage orzo, let it cool completely then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.

Can you make sausage orzo ahead of time?

Absolutely, it would make a great meal prep meal packed into individual portions as a make-ahead lunch. You may find it a little dry, as the pasta will absorb extra moisture as it sits in the fridge. Just drizzle in a spoonful of water before heating it and stir it in to loosen the texture.

How do you reheat sausage orzo?

Reheat individual portions of this skillet meal in the microwave, covered, for minimal cleanup. You can also rewarm it in a skillet on the stovetop with a little water splashed in, if necessary.

Sausage Orzo Tips

Can I use another type of pasta to make orzo and sausage?

Yes, absolutely! This skillet meal will work well with any small pasta, including ditalini or tubetti. Spiral-cut short pasta such as radiatori, gemelli, fusilli and cavatappi scoop up easily, which makes them great in a skillet meal. Feel free to use penne, rigatoni or any other short pasta you have. You could even make the meal low-carb by using chickpea or lentil-based orzo in place of the whole wheat orzo. Check out our guide to pasta shapes for more inspiration.

What should you serve with sausage orzo?

This skillet meal tastes fantastic with any side dishes that pair well with pasta. Try dishes you would serve with spaghetti, such as a simple Italian salad with pepperoncini peppers or crusty garlic bread.

Do you need to add salt to the orzo cooking water?

Generally, we recommend adding salt to the pasta cooking water to create flavorful pasta, but in this recipe, the bouillion provides the salt, so skip adding more or the orzo may turn out too salty.