When you’ve been craving one thing cozy, creamy and just a little spicy, this Cajun rooster sausage orzo is the type of consolation meals that feels unbelievable on the finish of a protracted 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 simple and completely doable even when your vitality is low.
I understand how exhausting dinner can really feel on the finish of a protracted day, which is why I lean arduous 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 an entire new degree. It’s creamy, spicy and unbelievably satisfying; the type of meal that received two thumbs up from my associate and reheats superbly for meal prep. After I’m craving consolation meals with out lots of work, that is the recipe I flip to.
When you love fast, flavorful meals like this, I’ve a number of different 20-minute favorites you would possibly wish to strive subsequent. My pesto shrimp orzo is vibrant, cozy and works any time of yr, and the orzo with kale and white beans delivers a lot taste from only a handful of easy substances. And if you’d like one thing much more hands-off, the Prompt Pot Cajun rooster and rice cooks totally within the Prompt Pot in beneath half-hour; excellent for nights once you need dinner to care for itself.
Ingredient highlight
Please see the recipe card for a full listing of substances, these are only a few I believe deserve a spotlight or wish 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’ve 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 offers it that creamy texture. You can too 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 do-it-yourself Cajun seasoning is straightforward if you happen to want.
- Orzo – That is what I had available, however really any pasta works. Penne or fettuccine could be my subsequent decisions. I used Jovial to maintain this gluten free.
Cooking Burnout Suggestions
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.
Minimize down cooking time with rooster sausage
Utilizing pre-cooked rooster sausage means you skip the entire “reduce up uncooked rooster and prepare dinner it by way of” step. A couple of fast slices and it’s able to brown, saving you vitality and getting dinner on the desk quicker.
Cook dinner the pasta when you prep the sauce
Orzo cooks rapidly and doesn’t want babysitting. Getting it began first makes the entire recipe really feel quicker and retains issues transferring with out further effort.
Don’t chase perfection
If the sauce will get just a little too thick, add a splash of broth. If it’s too skinny, simmer one other minute. This recipe is extraordinarily forgiving, which is strictly what burnout cooking wants.
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- 1 package deal 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 prepare 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 prepare dinner 2-3 minutes per facet.
1 package deal Cajun rooster sausage
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As soon as sausage has browned, add frozen bell peppers, cajun seasoning and salt. Cook dinner for 6-7 minutes till defrosted and warmed by way of and a lot 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 little thing to the surface rim of the skillet to make room within the middle 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 number 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 effectively and high with extra parmesan if you happen to please.
- Use the largest skillet you’ve got. This recipe makes lots of meals. In case your skillet feels too full, pour the Cajun sauce into the pot with the drained orzo as an alternative of attempting to mix every little thing within the pan.
- Brown the sausage if you happen to can. It’s totally cooked already, however taking a couple of minutes to brown the slices provides a lot taste. When you’re quick on time or vitality, skip it, the recipe nonetheless works.
- Cook dinner the bell peppers lengthy sufficient for a number of the water to evaporate.
They don’t should be completely dry, however you need a lot of the moisture gone so the roux varieties correctly within the middle 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 gradual, only a few tablespoons at a time, so the sauce thickens evenly with out lumps.
Vitamin Data
Vitamin Information
Quantity per Serving
The place does diet data come from? Vitamin information 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 wonderful taste if you wish to costume this up a bit.
- Flat leaf parsley or inexperienced onion – Slightly freshness to stability the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Pink pepper flakes (optionally available) – For anybody who needs just a little further warmth.
Widespread 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 further steps.
Can I make the sauce off the skillet?
Sure! As a result of this recipe makes use of oat flour, you’ll be able to 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 further dishes, however each strategies work.
Can I make this with a distinct protein?
Sure! Any totally cooked rooster sausage works, spicy or gentle. You could possibly additionally make this with shrimp (prepare dinner 2-3 minutes per facet) and even air fryer salmon bites (prepare dinner with 1/2 tablespoon cajun seasoning and add with the orzo on the finish). You can too 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. When you’re delicate to warmth, begin with half the seasoning and add extra to style.
Does this reheat effectively 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.
