Baked Italian Sausage and Cheese Orzo with Roasted Broccoli
A hearty one-pot pasta dish that combines Italian sausage, orzo, fire-roasted tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese, baked until tender and bubbly. The aromatic blend of thyme and oregano infuses the dish with classic Italian flavors, while roasted broccoli with garlic and lemon provides a bright, nutritious side. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want something comforting and satisfying that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 400F
- 2
Toss broccoli and garlic with oil and season with salt and pepper
- 3
Spread broccoli on a sheet pan
- 4
Roast broccoli until tender and browning, shaking pan halfway through, about 25 minutes
- 5
Heat Dutch oven over medium-high heat
- 6
Add oil and sausage to Dutch oven
- 7
Cook sausage, breaking apart with spoon, until browning
- 8
Drain excess oil
- 9
Stir in tomato paste, garlic, thyme, and oregano
- 10
Saute for 1 minute
- 11
Add pasta, tomatoes with liquid, and stock, scraping up brown bits
- 12
Bring to a simmer
- 13
Top pasta with cheese and cover with lid
- 14
Transfer to oven and bake covered until pasta is tender
- 15
Squeeze lemon juice over finished broccoli
- 16
Serve pasta with broccoli on the side
Tips
Fire-roasted tomatoes add deeper flavor than regular diced tomatoes, but either will work well in this recipe.
Make sure to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven when adding liquids for maximum flavor.
Fresh parsley makes a nice garnish if you have some on hand to brighten the finished dish.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave or low oven with splash of broth.
Can assemble pasta mixture without cheese up to 1 day ahead. Add cheese and bake when ready.
Serve immediately while cheese is melted and pasta is hot. Pairs well with crusty bread.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip draining excess oil from sausage to avoid greasy final dish
Cover tightly during baking to prevent pasta from drying out
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, but reduce roasting time to 15-18 minutes and thaw completely first. Fresh gives better texture and browning.
What if I don't have a Dutch oven?
Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer sausage mixture to a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in refrigerator up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore moisture.