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Orzo Pesto with Sausage

Orzo Pesto with Sausage

This Orzo Pesto with Sausage is a twist on the classic. I used spinach for some added nutrients and a slightly different flavour profile from the traditional basil only sauce. I used the traditional pine nuts because their toasted nuttiness compliments the tang of the grated parmesan and crumbled feta, the brightness of the spinach and basil, and the acidity of the sundried tomatoes, while a good quality olive oil ties it all together. From stove to table in twenty minutes, this Orzo Pesto with Sausage is as quick as it is delicious. I promise that if you make it, it will soon become one of your favourite dishes as well.
5 from 7 votes
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Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: italian sausage, pasta, pesto, pine nut, sundried tomato
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 658kcal
Author: Anneke Silva

Equipment

  • Small pot
  • Kitchen Aid Food Processor
  • Kitchen knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Pan

Ingredients

Pesto

  • 2 cups Baby spinach
  • 1 cup Fresh basil
  • 2/3 cup Raw pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup Grated parmesan
  • 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 Sundried Tomatoes in Oil
  • 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil

Sausage

  • 4 Spicy Italian Sausages
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic

Orzo

  • 3 cups Orzo
  • Water salted
  • Sea salt to taste

Orzo Pesto with Sausage

  • 1/4 cup Feta Cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Olives pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup Pasta water reserved
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pesto

  • Toast the pine nuts on medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly browned then pulse them in the food processor until they resemble a paste.
    Toast the pine nuts on medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly browned then pulse them in the food processor until they resemble a paste.
  • Add the spinach and basil and pulse until minced.
    Add the spinach and basil and pulse until minced.
  • Add the parmesan, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and salt and pulse to combine.
    Add the parmesan, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and salt and pulse to combine.
  • Slowly stream the olive oil into the food processor while pulsing to combine
    Slowly stream the olive oil into the food processor while pulsing to combine

Sausage

  • Add the oil to your pan and heat on medium high, then add the sausage and cook for 10 minutes until browned, breaking up as you cook.
    Add the oil to your pan and heat on medium high, then add the sausage and cook for 10 minutes until browned, breaking up as you cook.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, and add the minced garlic and cook an additional minute.
    Reduce the heat to medium, and add the minced garlic and cook an additional minute.

Orzo

  • Place a medium pot 3/4 full with water on high heat.
  • After it is boiling, add a healthy amount of sea salt.
  • Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes until al dente.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Pesto Orzo with Sausage

  • Add the orzo, pesto, and pasta water to the pan with the sausage then mix.
    orzo with pesto
  • Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the pasta water is absorbed.
    orzo with pesto mixed in pan
  • Served with crumbled feta and olives.
    Served with crumbled feta and olives.

Nutrition

Calories: 658kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 944mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1282IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 2mg