Should you’ve been craving one thing cozy, creamy and a bit spicy, this Cajun rooster sausage orzo is the form of consolation meals that feels unimaginable on the finish of an extended day. It’s daring, hearty and comes collectively in about 20 minutes utilizing easy shortcuts like Cajun-seasoned rooster sausage, frozen bell peppers and pantry pleasant orzo. The sauce simmers within the skillet whereas the orzo cooks individually, making the entire recipe really feel straightforward and completely doable even when your power is low.
I understand how exhausting dinner can really feel on the finish of an extended day, which is why I lean onerous into recipes that provide you with most taste with minimal effort. I initially created a vegetarian model of this dish, however choosing up a pack of Cajun rooster sausage on a whim took it to a complete new stage. It’s creamy, spicy and unbelievably satisfying; the form of meal that bought two thumbs up from my accomplice and reheats superbly for meal prep. After I’m craving consolation meals with out plenty of work, that is the recipe I flip to.
Should you love fast, flavorful meals like this, I’ve a couple of different 20-minute favorites you would possibly need to strive subsequent. My pesto shrimp orzo is vibrant, cozy and works any time of 12 months, and the orzo with kale and white beans delivers a lot taste from only a handful of straightforward elements. And if you need one thing much more hands-off, the Prompt Pot Cajun rooster and rice cooks solely within the Prompt Pot in below half-hour; excellent for nights whenever you need dinner to care for itself.
Ingredient highlight
Please see the recipe card for a full record of elements, these are just some I feel deserve a spotlight or need to advocate a substitution for.
- Cajun rooster sausage – I’ve discovered this at Entire Meals and Harris Teeter (Kroger) simply. You’ll be able to swap in spicy Italian rooster sausage or turkey kielbasa if that’s what you have got. It’s totally cooked, however browning it first provides nice taste.
- Avocado oil – Helps toast the flour and removes the uncooked flour style from the sauce. Olive oil, melted butter or ghee all work too.
- Oat flour – Thickens the sauce and provides it that creamy texture. You too can use gluten free 1-to-1 flour or all-purpose flour.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favourite model. I typically have Frontier Co-op available, however home made Cajun seasoning is simple for those who desire.
- Orzo – That is what I had available, however actually any pasta works. Penne or fettuccine can be my subsequent decisions. I used Jovial to maintain this gluten free.
Cooking Burnout Ideas
Use frozen veggies
Frozen bell peppers are a complete burnout staple. No chopping, no prep, simply toss them straight into the skillet. They save time and assure you continue to get veggies within the meal.
Reduce down cooking time with rooster sausage
Utilizing pre-cooked rooster sausage means you skip the entire “reduce up uncooked rooster and cook dinner it by way of” step. A couple of fast slices and it’s able to brown, saving you power and getting dinner on the desk sooner.
Prepare dinner the pasta whilst you prep the sauce
Orzo cooks shortly and doesn’t want babysitting. Getting it began first makes the entire recipe really feel sooner and retains issues shifting with out additional effort.
Don’t chase perfection
If the sauce will get a bit too thick, add a splash of broth. If it’s too skinny, simmer one other minute. This recipe is extraordinarily forgiving, which is precisely what burnout cooking wants.
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- 1 bundle Cajun rooster sausage – or spicy italian rooster sausage
- 12 oz orzo pasta
- 1 bag frozen sliced bell peppers
- 1.5 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ¼ cup oat flour
- 1 cup milk
- 28 oz diced tomatoes – drained
- 1 cup rooster broth
- ¼ cup parmesan – optionally available
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Deliver water to a boil. When water has come to a boil, add pasta and cook dinner based on directions on the field.
12 oz orzo pasta
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Place a big skillet over medium excessive warmth.
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Slice the sausage into cash. When the skillet is scorching, spray with avocado oil and add the sausage and cook dinner 2-3 minutes per aspect.
1 bundle Cajun rooster sausage
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As soon as sausage has browned, add frozen bell peppers, cajun seasoning and salt. Prepare dinner for 6-7 minutes till defrosted and warmed by way of and many of the water has cooked off of the bell peppers. .
1 bag frozen sliced bell peppers, 1.5 tablespoon cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt
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Push every thing to the surface rim of the skillet to make room within the heart to construct the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil and ¼ cup oat flour. Stir that combination along with a fork, then add the milk a couple of tablespoons at a time, mixing it within the flour combination. You’ll discover it beginning to thicken and create a creamy sauce.
1 tablespoon avocado oil, ¼ cup oat flour, 1 cup milk
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Drain the can of diced tomatoes, add to the skillet together with the rooster broth and optionally available parmesan cheese.
28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 cup rooster broth, ¼ cup parmesan
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When pasta is finished cooking, drain it and add instantly to the skillet with the sausage and peppers. Stir properly and high with extra parmesan for those who please.
- Use the most important skillet you have got. This recipe makes plenty of meals. In case your skillet feels too full, pour the Cajun sauce into the pot with the drained orzo as a substitute of attempting to mix every thing within the pan.
- Brown the sausage for those who can. It’s totally cooked already, however taking a couple of minutes to brown the slices provides a lot taste. Should you’re brief on time or power, skip it, the recipe nonetheless works.
- Prepare dinner the bell peppers lengthy sufficient for a number of the water to evaporate.
They don’t have to be completely dry, however you need many of the moisture gone so the roux kinds correctly within the heart of the pan. - Combine the flour and milk with a fork. This helps break up any clumps and retains the sauce easy. When including milk to the pan, begin sluggish, just some tablespoons at a time, so the sauce thickens evenly with out lumps.
Diet Info
Diet Info
Quantity per Serving
The place does vitamin information come from? Diet info are supplied as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Meals Database.
Additions & Toppings
- Parmesan cheese – A basic right here. Add some to the sauce or sprinkle it on high.
- Sundried tomatoes – They add superb taste if you wish to gown this up a bit.
- Flat leaf parsley or inexperienced onion – A bit freshness to stability the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Crimson pepper flakes (optionally available) – For anybody who desires a bit additional warmth.
Frequent questions
What if the sauce doesn’t thicken?
Simmer it a bit longer or strive my go-to repair: mix 1 cup of white beans with ¼ cup rooster broth and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir it in, it thickens the sauce immediately with out additional steps.
Can I make the sauce off the skillet?
Sure! As a result of this recipe makes use of oat flour, you possibly can mix the avocado oil, oat flour, milk and broth collectively in a blender, then pour it into the skillet to thicken. I normally make it proper within the pan to keep away from additional dishes, however each strategies work.
Can I make this with a distinct protein?
Sure! Any totally cooked rooster sausage works, spicy or delicate. You can additionally make this with shrimp (cook dinner 2-3 minutes per aspect) and even air fryer salmon bites (cook dinner with 1/2 tablespoon cajun seasoning and add with the orzo on the finish). You too can make this vegetarian by skipping the sausage and including a can of white beans or chickpeas.
Is that this recipe very spicy?
It has a noticeable kick from the Cajun seasoning and sausage. Should you’re delicate to warmth, begin with half the seasoning and add extra to style.
Does this reheat properly for meal prep?
It reheats superbly. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days and add a splash of broth or water when reheating if the sauce thickens.
