Description
A hearty and delicious dish featuring orzo pasta, Italian sausage, and broccoli, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, removed from casing)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets (small, uniform pieces)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest or juice (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small chunks. Let it caramelize well for extra flavor.
- Lower the heat slightly and stir in minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add orzo to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add broccoli florets and pour in chicken broth. Stir everything, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the lid, stir well, and mix in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Add lemon zest or juice if desired, and stir again to combine.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra cheese or parsley if you like.
Notes
- This dish can be customized by adding other vegetables or protein as desired.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg