One Pan Pesto Orzo with Sausage and Tomatoes
This comforting dinner cooks everything in one skillet for easy cleanup and big flavor.
recipesbynani.comWhen busy weeknights hit, this one pan meal is exactly what I reach for. It is cozy, fresh, and saves me from washing a mountain of pots after dinner is done.
My favorite trick for this recipe is to keep the heat at a gentle simmer while the orzo cooks in the broth. The sausage adds such a lovely savory note that pairs perfectly with a big scoop of basil pesto.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/3 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1 ball of burrata cheese, optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- 2
Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until it is nicely browned on both sides.
- 3
Toss in the cherry tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.
- 4
Stir in the dry orzo, then pour in the chicken broth.
- 5
Bring the liquid to a light boil, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pan.
- 6
Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- 7
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil pesto.
- 8
Season with salt and pepper to your liking and top with torn pieces of burrata before serving.
💡 Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If the pasta absorbs too much liquid, just add a tiny splash of water or broth when you reheat it. Adding fresh basil or extra parmesan cheese makes it taste even better.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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