Hey there, food lovers! If you’re craving something that’s quick, delicious, and comforting, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you – Sausage & Tomato Orzo! This dish brings together the savory goodness of sausages, the rich flavors of plum tomatoes, and the satisfying texture of orzo – all in one amazing bowl. It’s so simple to make but packed with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for the family or just for yourself, this recipe is a winner every time. Let’s dive in!
Method
1.Frying the Sausages
Start by heating a little bit of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a frying pan. Add the sausages and fry them until they start to cook through. As the sausages cook, break them up with a spatula. If you prefer, you can chop the sausages beforehand or even squeeze them out of the skin if you like them in skinless chunks. This step helps the sausages absorb the oil and start releasing their delicious flavor into the pan.
2.Cooking the Tomatoes
While the sausages are frying, halve the plum tomatoes and add them directly to the pan once the sausages have begun to brown. Let the tomatoes cook down, allowing them to soften and release their juices into the pan. This creates a rich base that will infuse the orzo with flavor. Stir the tomatoes occasionally to ensure they don’t burn while they cook.
3.Adding the Tomato Puree and Nduja Seasoning
Once the tomatoes have softened and released their juices, stir in the tomato puree and Nduja seasoning. The puree will add depth and richness to the sauce, while the Nduja seasoning will bring a spicy, flavorful kick to the dish. Stir the ingredients together, ensuring the sausages and tomatoes are well-coated with the seasoning.
4.Adding the Orzo
Next, pour the uncooked orzo into the pan. The orzo will absorb all the wonderful juices and seasonings, soaking up the flavors as it cooks. Pour enough boiling water (from your kettle) into the pan to cover the orzo and other ingredients. The water should be just enough to help the orzo cook evenly and soak up all the flavors. Stir the ingredients together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5.Simmering the Dish
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, allowing the orzo to cook through. The orzo will soak up the liquid as it cooks, so keep an eye on the pan and add more boiling water as needed. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is fully cooked. Don’t worry if it looks a little watery once the heat is turned off, the orzo will continue to soak up the remaining liquid.
6.Final Touches and Serving
Once the orzo has fully cooked and the dish is creamy and rich, remove the pan from the heat. Divide the dish into bowls, and for a burst of freshness, top it with chopped fresh parsley. This adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness that complements the rich flavors of the dish.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Knife
- Scissors (optional for cutting sausages)
- Kettle (for boiling water)
- Large bowl for serving
- Stirring spoon
Sausage and Tomato Orzo A Flavorful Comfort Dish
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
6 pork chipolata sausages (I used @heckfooduk)
20 plum tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp Nduja seasoning (mob x flava it sachet)
270g orzo
80g sun-dried tomatoes
Handful of spinach
Salt + pepper
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Start by frying the sausages in a bit of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. I like to break them up with a spatula as they cook, but feel free to chop them beforehand if that’s easier for you. If you prefer them in skinless chunks, you can squeeze them out of the skin.
- As the sausages are cooking, halve your plum tomatoes and add them to the pan. Let them soften and release their juices.
- Stir in the tomato puree and Nduja seasoning for a nice kick of flavor.
- Add the orzo to the pan, then pour enough boiling water (from your kettle) to cover everything.
- Season with salt and pepper, and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, adding more boiling water as the orzo absorbs the liquid. Keep adding until the orzo is fully cooked. Don’t worry if it’s a little watery it’ll soak up the rest of the liquid once off the heat.
- Once it’s cooked, divide it into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks. It can soak up liquid quickly, so make sure to keep adding water from the kettle to prevent it from drying out.
- If you’re using sausages with skin, be careful when breaking them up they can be a little tricky to handle.
Serving Suggestions
This Sausage & Tomato Orzo is great on its own, but if you want to make it even heartier, serve it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad. You could also top it with some grated Parmesan for an extra touch of flavor.
Fun Fact
Orzo is actually a type of pasta that looks like rice, but it’s made from wheat, just like other pastas! It’s a great alternative to rice or traditional pasta and works wonderfully in a dish like this.
Conclusion
Sausage & Tomato Orzo is a super easy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. With minimal prep and cook time, you can whip it up in no time and enjoy a meal full of hearty flavors. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing it with loved ones, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Enjoy the comfort of sausage, tomato, and orzo all in one!
