I love this meal and the fact that it’s everything in one bowl. Veggie Loaded Orzo with Ground Turkey is really great because everything is totally customizable too, so if you want to go with different vegetables, or a different type of sausage (read: pork, beef, or chicken) that’s totally your call! One thing I’d never skip over? The parmesan cheese. Lots and lots of cheese!
The Minimalist Recipe | Veggie Loaded Orzo with Ground Turkey
Veggie Loaded Orzo with Ground Turkey
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Dara Boxer
Recipe type: Poultry
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 12 oz orzo pasta
- kosher salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 18 oz sweet Italian turkey sausage, casing removed
- 1 red onion, diced
- 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, sliced into ¼-inch half moons
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded, cored, and diced
- 1 pint, cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add orzo to pot, season with salt and 1 tsp of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7-9 minutes Drain, while reserving ¼ cup of pasta cooking water, drain.
- In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, 4-6 minutes. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon to reserve fat in pan.
- In same pan, add 1 tbsp of olive of medium heat. Add onion and zucchini. Cook, stirring often until softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add bell pepper, cook until softened, about 2-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss orzo and sausage into pan with veggies. Add parmesan and 1 tbsp of lemon juice in addition to the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir well until combined, season with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parmesan.
