Orzo with Sausage and Tomatoes
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
  • 6 sausages, in whatever seasoning flavor you like (about 400g or about 1 pound)
  • olive oil
  • 4 medium sized round tomatoes, chopped roughly to 1" pieces (about 380g or about .8 pounds)
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup orzo
  • water to cook the orzo
  • 3 cups spinach
  • ½ cup frozen peas
Instructions
  1. Remove the sausages from their casings.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot add the sausage meat. Cook the meat until cooked through. This takes about 10 minutes depending on the heat of your pan. As you cook the meat, use a wooden spoon to break the sausage up into bite sized pieces.
  3. Cover a plate with a paper towel and put the cooked sausage on top. Try to pour out as much of the grease from the skillet as you can, but it doesn't have to be perfectly clean. This step helps to drain off the excess grease. You can skip this step if you want, but the overall dish will taste nicer without the grease.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Once it's boiling generously salt the water. Add the orzo to the water and cook for 8 minutes (or check package for timing recommendations). When the orzo is done cooking, drain the water and set the orzo aside.
  5. Return the empty skillet you used before back to the stove. Add a splash of olive oil if the pan is dry. Once the oil is hot, add the tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the tomatoes are losing their juices and everything is starting to simmer. Taste and adjust seasonings if you need to.
  6. Add the spinach to the skillet. Stir the spinach in until it starts to wilt, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Next add the frozen peas. Stir the peas in until they lose their frozen look and start to turn brighter green, about 1 minute.
  8. Now add the sausage and orzo to the skillet. Mix so everything is coated with the tomato juices and the vegetables are distributed throughout.
  9. Serve in a bowl or on a plate.
Recipe by Cooking is Messy at https://www.cookingismessy.com/2015/09/03/orzo-with-sausage-and-tomatoes/