Butternut Squash and Black Bean Orzo with Sausage and Spinach
Summary
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Orzo with Sausage and Spinach is a perfect Autumn dinner packed with veggies and protein. It's a perfect addition to the holiday menu and is also great for an easy weeknight meal. Simple and flavorful to become your family's new favorite Fall dinner!
Info
SERVINGS: 4
PREP:
20 min
COOK:
40 min
TOTAL:
1 hour
INGREDIENTS
Roasted butternut squash
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2 C butternut squash peeled and cubed
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1 Tbsp olive oil
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salt and pepper
Other ingredients
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1 C uncooked orzo
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1 Tbsp olive oil
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12oz sausage cooked, such as cajun sausage, andouille sausage, or smoked sausage
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15oz black beans canned, rinsed, drained
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5oz fresh spinach
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fresh thyme
INSTRUCTIONS
Roast Butternut Squash
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- In a large bowl, toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the squash on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.
- Roast in the preheated oven on the middle rack at 400 F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Proceed with the rest of the recipe while you roast the squash.
Cook pasta
- Combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of orzo in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to medium or medium-low heat.
- Cook the orzo for about 10 minutes on medium or medium-low heat, with water visibly simmering, stirring frequently to make sure the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add small amounts of water if the cooking water gets absorbed too quickly. Adjust the heat as you go.
- Once the orzo reaches an "al dente" texture, remove the pan from heat, cover it with a lid and let the orzo rest in the residual heat for about 5 minutes, off heat.
Cook sausage
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet (such as cast iron or stainless steel) on medium heat.
- Slice cooked sausage into coins and add to the skillet.
- Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes on one side until nicely browned, then flip over and cook for about 3 minutes on the other side.
Assembly
- Add spinach to the sausage and cook on medium-low heat until wilted.
- Add rinsed and drained black beans and cooked orzo (drained of any liquid). Mix to combine. Add roasted butternut squash cubes. Stir everything together carefully.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with fresh thyme.