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Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

This flavorful Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage is a versatile dish that can serve double duty as either an entree or a side dish. It’s simple to put together and makes a scrumptious busy day meal option.

Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage made on the stovetop

Easy Cajun Orzo Andouille Sausage Recipe

What’s Cajun about orzo? In this instance, the Cajun influence comes from the seasoning and using that oh-so-good andouille sausage. Orzo itself is a short grain pasta shaped like rice. While it’s classic to pair rice with Cajun seasonings, sometimes it’s nice to shake-up the dinner menu don’t you think? My boys never turn their noses up to pasta in any form, so for me that makes this dish a weekday win.

step-by=step preparation of Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

How to Make the BEST Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

This recipe is forgiving and there’s plenty of room to personalize ingredients depending on what you have on hand.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Cajun Orzo with Andouille: Orzo pasta, andouille sausage, onion, poblano pepper, garlic, cherry tomatoes, celery, Cajun seasoning, chicken stock, olive oil, salt, shredded monterey jack or, mozzarella or colby jack cheese, light cream, grated Parmesan cheese, butter, panko breadcrumbs and hot sauce for serving.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large 12 inch skillet, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and cutting board, large spoon, small bowl microwave safe bowl, cheese grater and
  • Smoked Kielbasa is another option that works well in this dish. You can also use turkey sausage or chicken sausage in the same amount.
  • Prepared Cajun seasonings vary in heat level and sodium content from brand to brand. Depending on the type of Cajun seasoning that you choose to use, you may need to adjust the amount of salt called for in the recipe. Adjust it to your personal taste.
  • When cooking the orzo, I recommend that you simmer it with the lid offset until most of the liquid is absorbed. Mix it well, then add the monterey jack and light cream. If you’d like to add more cheese or use a different flavor, you can.
  • Other shredded cheese options include colby jack cheese, pepper jack cheese which will give this dish even more kick, or mozzarella cheese. You could even use shredded cheddar cheese if that’s what you have on hand.
  • You can adapt the amount of cream in this dish using a little more or a little less. To cut calories, low fat half and half also works.
  • Serving a bottle of hot sauce on the side is a nice addition for those who may like to add a little more spice to their plate. It’s completely optional.
  • Store cooked Cajun Orzo with Andouille chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in single servings in the microwave.
Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage recipe

More Cajun Inspired Recipes to Make

Cajun flavors are guaranteed to bring the heat to the dinner table. Other recipes you may enjoy trying:

Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

cooked Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

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Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cajun-orzo-with-andouille-sausage, easy-cajun-orzo
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 578kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz smoked andouille sausage 1/4 inch slices
  • olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes (OR one 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes)
  • 1 rib celery diced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium poblano or green bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 2 cups orzo pasta
  • 4 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 2-3 tsp Cajun seasoning i.e. Zatarain's or Tony Chachere's (adjust amount to taste)
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust depending on sodium in Cajun seasoning used)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack or mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup light cream (Or low fat half and half)
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (OR 1/3 cup grated)
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • hot sauce for serving optional

Instructions

  • On the stovetop over medium high heat in a deep 12 inch oven safe skillet, brown sliced sausages for 2 minutes in a couple drizzles of olive oil. Add garlic cook 1 minute longer.
  • To the pan add tomatoes, celery, onion and poblano cooking for 3-5 minutes. Cook just until softened and tomatoes have wilted.
  • Add broth, orzo, Cajun seasoning and salt, adjusting both to taste. Mix well.
  • Bring to a boil then immediately lower to a simmer, covering with a lid leaving it slightly offset. Simmer for around 15 minutes just until orzo has softened and absorbed liquid. Stir in monterey jack cheese and cream, mix well. (If needed, you can add more cream or broth to thin.)
  • Preheat oven to broil. In a small bowl, toss together panko and Parmesan cheese with melted butter. Sprinkle on top. Place under the broiler for a few minutes, just until browned.
  • Serve immediately as an entree or a side dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 291mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

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