Italian Sausage Orzo Pasta

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil

1 red bell pepper (finely diced)

½ large onion (finely diced)

375 grams Italian sausage (about ¾lb)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cloves garlic (finely minced)

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

2½ cups low sodium chicken broth

½ cups tomato or marinara sauce

1½ cups dry orzo pasta

2 cups fresh chopped spinach

2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)

Parmesan for serving if desired

Directions

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the oil.

When hot, add the bell pepper and onion. Cook and stir until softened.

Add the Italian sausage, cooking and stirring until browned. Drain some of the excess grease if desired.

Stir in tomato paste, garlic, parsley, salt, basil, and oregano. Cook and stir 1 minute.

Stir in the broth and tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the uncooked orzo pasta and stir well.

Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring often, until al dente (about 10-12 minutes).

Stir in spinach and cream, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired before serving with Parmesan or as desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 432 kcal
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.01 g
• Cholesterol: 53 mg
• Sodium: 1026 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 4 g
• Protein: 17 g