When you’ve been craving one thing cozy, creamy and just a little spicy, this Cajun hen 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 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 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 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 an entire new degree. It’s creamy, spicy and unbelievably satisfying; the type of meal that acquired two thumbs up from my accomplice and reheats fantastically for meal prep. After I’m craving consolation meals with out numerous 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 may wish to strive subsequent. My pesto shrimp orzo is brilliant, 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’d like one thing much more hands-off, the Instantaneous Pot Cajun hen and rice cooks completely within the Instantaneous Pot in beneath half-hour; excellent for nights if you need dinner to handle itself.
Ingredient highlight
Please see the recipe card for a full listing of elements, these are only a few I believe deserve a spotlight or wish to suggest a substitution for.
- Cajun hen sausage – I’ve discovered this at Entire Meals and Harris Teeter (Kroger) simply. You possibly can swap in spicy Italian hen sausage or turkey kielbasa if that’s what you’ve gotten. It’s absolutely 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 usually have Frontier Co-op available, however do-it-yourself Cajun seasoning is simple in case you want.
- Orzo – That is what I had available, however actually any pasta works. Penne or fettuccine could 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.
Minimize down cooking time with hen sausage
Utilizing pre-cooked hen sausage means you skip the entire “minimize up uncooked hen and cook dinner it by way of” step. Just a few fast slices and it’s able to brown, saving you vitality and getting dinner on the desk quicker.
Prepare dinner the pasta whilst 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 shifting with out additional 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 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-compulsory
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Deliver water to a boil. When water has come to a boil, add pasta and cook 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 sizzling, spray with avocado oil and add the sausage and cook 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 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 the whole lot to the skin 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 hen broth and non-compulsory parmesan cheese.
28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 cup hen 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 nicely and high with extra parmesan in case you please.
- Use the most important skillet you’ve gotten. This recipe makes numerous 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 the whole lot within the pan.
- Brown the sausage in case you can. It’s absolutely 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.
- Prepare dinner the bell peppers lengthy sufficient for a number of the water to evaporate.
They don’t must be completely dry, however you need many 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 sluggish, only a few tablespoons at a time, so the sauce thickens evenly with out lumps.
Diet Info
Diet Details
Quantity per Serving
The place does vitamin data come from? Diet details 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 – Slightly freshness to steadiness the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Pink pepper flakes (non-compulsory) – For anybody who needs just a little additional 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 additional 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 additional dishes, however each strategies work.
Can I make this with a distinct protein?
Sure! Any absolutely cooked hen sausage works, spicy or gentle. You could possibly additionally make this with shrimp (cook dinner 2-3 minutes per facet) 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. When you’re delicate to warmth, begin with half the seasoning and add extra to style.
Does this reheat nicely 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.
