Seared Sausage with Warm Orzo Salad Recipe

This warm orzo salad is a comforting twist on traditional pasta salad. Juicy sausages are seared until golden, then sliced and served over a bed of tender orzo mixed with colorful vegetables like grape tomatoes, baby carrots, red bell pepper and zucchini.

It’s a complete meal in one bowl, perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of savory sausage and fresh veggies makes every bite delicious.

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Ingredients

SausagesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Orzo pastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Grape tomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Baby carrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Red bell pepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Olive oilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Black pepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. While orzo cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove sausages from skillet and let rest.
3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Add baby carrots and cook for 2 minutes. Add diced red bell pepper and zucchini; cook for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. Add grape tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until they start to soften. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Slice sausages into rounds. Add cooked orzo and sliced sausages to the skillet with vegetables. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
6. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, any fresh sausage like Italian, chicken or turkey sausage works well.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

It’s best served warm, but you can prep the ingredients ahead and assemble just before serving.

What other vegetables can I add?

Try adding bell peppers, broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition.