For those who’ve been craving one thing cozy, creamy and a bit spicy, this Cajun hen sausage orzo is the form of consolation meals that feels unimaginable on the finish of a protracted day. It’s daring, hearty and comes collectively in about 20 minutes utilizing easy shortcuts like Cajun-seasoned hen 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 vitality is low.
I understand how exhausting dinner can really feel on the finish of a protracted 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 selecting up a pack of Cajun hen 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 fantastically for meal prep. After I’m craving consolation meals with out a number of work, that is the recipe I flip to.
For those who love fast, flavorful meals like this, I’ve a couple of different 20-minute favorites you may wish to strive subsequent. My pesto shrimp orzo is shiny, 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 easy substances. And in order for you one thing much more hands-off, the On the spot Pot Cajun hen and rice cooks solely within the On the spot Pot in underneath half-hour; excellent for nights while you need dinner to handle itself.
Ingredient highlight
Please see the recipe card for a full listing of substances, these are just some I feel deserve a spotlight or wish to suggest a substitution for.
- Cajun hen sausage – I’ve discovered this at Complete Meals and Harris Teeter (Kroger) simply. You possibly can swap in spicy Italian hen sausage or turkey kielbasa if that’s what you might have. 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. It’s also possible to use gluten free 1-to-1 flour or all-purpose flour.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favourite model. I usually have Frontier Co-op available, however home made Cajun seasoning is simple in the event you 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.
Lower down cooking time with hen sausage
Utilizing pre-cooked hen sausage means you skip the entire “minimize up uncooked hen and prepare dinner it via” step. A number of fast slices and it’s able to brown, saving you vitality 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 transferring with out further 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 package deal Cajun hen sausage – or spicy italian hen 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 hen broth
- ¼ cup parmesan – non-obligatory
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Convey water to a boil. When water has come to a boil, add pasta and prepare dinner in response to 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 hen 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 via 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 part to the skin 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 hen broth and non-obligatory parmesan cheese.
28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 cup hen broth, ¼ cup parmesan
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When pasta is completed cooking, drain it and add instantly to the skillet with the sausage and peppers. Stir properly and prime with extra parmesan in the event you please.
- Use the most important skillet you might have. This recipe makes a number 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 part within the pan.
- Brown the sausage in the event you can. It’s totally cooked already, however taking a couple of minutes to brown the slices provides a lot taste. For those who’re quick on time or vitality, skip it, the recipe nonetheless works.
- Prepare dinner the bell peppers lengthy sufficient for among the water to evaporate.
They don’t must be completely dry, however you need many of the moisture gone so the roux types 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 clean. 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 Details
Quantity per Serving
The place does diet data come from? Diet information are offered as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Meals Database.
Additions & Toppings
- Parmesan cheese – A traditional right here. Add some to the sauce or sprinkle it on prime.
- Sundried tomatoes – They add wonderful taste if you wish to costume this up a bit.
- Flat leaf parsley or inexperienced onion – A bit of freshness to stability the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Pink pepper flakes (non-obligatory) – For anybody who needs a bit 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 hen 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 possibly can mix the avocado oil, oat flour, milk and broth collectively in a blender, then pour it into the skillet to thicken. I often 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 hen sausage works, spicy or delicate. You might 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). It’s also possible to 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. For those who’re delicate to warmth, begin with half the seasoning and add extra to style.
Does this reheat properly for meal prep?
It reheats fantastically. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days and add a splash of broth or water when reheating if the sauce thickens.
