Orzo with Sausage, Peppers and Tomatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 jar fire roasted peppers tri color
  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 7 ounces (2 links) mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup ricotta salata cheese, crumbled

Preparation

Step 1

Pat the peppers dry with paper towels. Remove the stem and seeds from the peppers and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, water, and kosher salt to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and saute until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the bell peppers, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook additional 3 minutes.

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the sausage mixture, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well to combine all ingredients, adding reserved cooking liquid, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Top with the ricotta salata and sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve.