Spicy Cajun Rooster Sausage Orzo Recipe (20 Minutes)
In case you’ve been craving one thing cozy, creamy and just a little spicy, this Cajun rooster sausage orzo is the sort of consolation meals that feels unbelievable on the finish of an extended 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 straightforward and completely doable even when your vitality is low.
I understand how exhausting dinner can really feel on the finish of an extended day, which is why I lean exhausting 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 rooster sausage on a whim took it to an entire new stage. It’s creamy, spicy and unbelievably satisfying; the sort of meal that acquired two thumbs up from my accomplice and reheats superbly for meal prep. Once I’m craving consolation meals with out numerous work, that is the recipe I flip to.
In case you love fast, flavorful meals like this, I’ve a couple of different 20-minute favorites you would possibly wish to attempt subsequent. My pesto shrimp orzo is vibrant, 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 components. And in order for you one thing much more hands-off, the Prompt Pot Cajun rooster and rice cooks solely within the Prompt Pot in underneath half-hour; excellent for nights whenever you need dinner to care for itself.
Ingredient highlight
Please see the recipe card for a full listing of components, these are only a few I believe deserve a spotlight or wish to suggest 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 have got. 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 offers it that creamy texture. You may as well 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 home made Cajun seasoning is straightforward when you want.
- Orzo – That is what I had available, however really any pasta works. Penne or fettuccine could be my subsequent selections. 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.
Reduce down cooking time with rooster sausage
Utilizing pre-cooked rooster sausage means you skip the entire “reduce up uncooked rooster and cook dinner it via” step. Just a few 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 shifting 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 precisely what burnout cooking wants.
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star ranking under!
- 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 – non-obligatory
-
Carry water to a boil. When water has come to a boil, add pasta and cook dinner in line with directions on the field.
12 oz orzo pasta
-
Place a big skillet over medium excessive warmth.
-
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 aspect.
1 package deal Cajun rooster sausage
-
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
-
Push all the things 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 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
-
Drain the can of diced tomatoes, add to the skillet together with the rooster broth and non-obligatory parmesan cheese.
28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 cup rooster broth, ¼ cup parmesan
-
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 when you please.
- Use the largest skillet you have got. 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 making an attempt to mix all the things within the pan.
- Brown the sausage when you can. It’s absolutely cooked already, however taking a couple of minutes to brown the slices provides a lot taste. In case you’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 middle 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 gradual, only a few tablespoons at a time, so the sauce thickens evenly with out lumps.
Vitamin Info
Vitamin Info
Quantity per Serving
The place does diet information come from? Vitamin details are offered 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 prime.
- Sundried tomatoes – They add wonderful taste if you wish to costume this up a bit.
- Flat leaf parsley or inexperienced onion – Somewhat freshness to stability the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Crimson pepper flakes (non-obligatory) – For anybody who needs just a little further warmth.
Widespread questions
What if the sauce doesn’t thicken?
Simmer it a bit longer or attempt 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 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 special protein?
Sure! Any absolutely cooked rooster sausage works, spicy or delicate. You possibly can additionally make this with shrimp (cook dinner 2-3 minutes per aspect) and even air fryer salmon bites (cook dinner with 1/2 tablespoon cajun seasoning and add with the orzo on the finish). You may as well 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. In case you’re delicate to warmth, begin with half the seasoning and add extra to style.
Does this reheat properly 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.
