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Easy Cheesy Sausage and Orzo Skillet with Roasted Peppers

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A quick and comforting skillet meal combining savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, smoky roasted peppers, and melty mozzarella cheese for a cozy, flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
  • 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta (270 g)
  • 1 cup roasted bell peppers, sliced (150 g), jarred or homemade
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (150 g), part-skim recommended
  • 3 cups chicken broth (720 ml)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound of Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving some for flavor.
  2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring often to prevent burning.
  3. Stir in 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Toast the orzo in the sausage fat and aromatics for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the orzo is tender but still slightly firm. Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly.
  6. Fold in 1 cup sliced roasted bell peppers and 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top if desired.
  8. Serve immediately warm from the skillet.

Notes

Toast the orzo before adding broth for nuttier flavor. Use a lid to trap steam and cook orzo evenly. Add extra broth if orzo is too firm at the end. Fresh sausage browned in skillet is best for flavor and texture. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with brown rice orzo or similar grain. Roasting fresh peppers adds smoky flavor but jarred peppers work well too.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage skillet, orzo recipe, cheesy sausage pasta, roasted peppers, quick dinner, one-pan meal, comfort food

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