ITALIAN SAUSAGE ORZO OVEN BAKE

Italian Sausage Orzo Oven Bake image

Provided by Sher Bird

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ea 28 oz can(s) diced tomatoes (can use "fire roasted" if you desire)
3/4 c chicken, beef, or vegetable broth
1 lb italian sausage links, cut into 1/2" rounds
2 yellow or white onions, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp dried italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1-1/2 c uncooked orzo pasta
3/4 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 c shredded fresh parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. ** Preheat Oven to 400 deg. F. ** Place Italian sausages, onions and bell pepper in a shallow 9x13" or so oven baking dish. Drizzle with little bit of olive oil.
2. ** Bake for one hour. Remove from oven and drain off any fat. ** Drain canned tomatoes, saving juice ** Mix together chicken, beef, or veggie broth plus juice from tomatoes to equal 3 cups ** Add drained tomatoes, 3 cups broth/tomato mixture, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir and scrape to release any browned bits on bottom of pan.
3. ** Bake mixture about 15 min. until broth/tomato "juice" boils ** Add orzo to pan, stir to blend and incorporate orzo well into the hot liquid in pan. ** Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake about 20 additional minutes until liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender. ** Remove from oven, uncover. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese. Bake for 2 minutes more, uncovered, until cheese melts.