Sausage & Orzo Boursin Bake

Ingredients

• 12 oz Sausage (Andouille or chicken sausage, chopped)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 5.2 oz Boursin cheese (one standard package, Garlic & Fine Herbs flavor recommended)
• 1 lb Orzo pasta (dry)
• 32 oz Chicken broth (or stock; enough to completely submerge the orzo)
• 2 cup Baby spinach (fresh)
• 0.25 cup Milk (optional, for added creaminess)
• 0.5 cup Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded; optional)
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Cajun seasoning (to taste)
• Dried minced onions (or onion powder)
• Garlic powder (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Chop the sausage into rounds and halve the cherry tomatoes.

3. 3

   Optional: Brown the sausage in a skillet on the stovetop before adding to the dish for extra flavor, though this can be skipped to save on dishes.

4. 4

   Place the block of Boursin cheese in the center of a large casserole dish.

5. 5

   Pour the dry orzo pasta into the dish around the cheese.

6. 6

   Add the chicken broth or stock to the dish, ensuring the orzo is completely submerged.

7. 7

   Add the cherry tomatoes, sausage, and baby spinach to the dish.

8. 8

   Season with red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, dried minced onions, garlic powder, and black pepper to your liking.

9. 9

   Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.

10. 10

    Bake at 400°F for approximately 40 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

11. 11

    Remove from the oven and uncover. Stir everything together until the Boursin cheese is fully incorporated and the mixture is creamy.

12. 12

    Stir in a few splashes of milk and the Monterey Jack cheese if using for extra creaminess.

13. 13

    Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Notes

If you don't have dried minced onions, onion powder works as a fine substitute. For a healthier version, use chicken sausage instead of pork-based andouille.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• one-pot
• baked
• easy
• weeknight
• pasta