A Cajun Butterball turkey sausage orzo skillet sitting on a round wooden platform.

Cajun Turkey Sausage Orzo Skillet

Peppers, onions, and Cajun seasoning combine with Butterball Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage to give this weeknight skillet recipe a spicy kick.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Calories Per Serving
568

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 (13 oz) Butterball Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage, cut into ½-inch-thick slices
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 green onions, diced
  • 1½ cups dried orzo
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 2½ cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn 
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan, plus more for serving
  • Handful fresh chopped parsley

Directions

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add turkey sausage to hot skillet and fry on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes each side. Transfer turkey to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add remaining olive oil, red bell pepper, green onions, and a pinch of salt to pan and cook about 2 minutes, until peppers start to soften. 
  3. Stir in orzo and cook until orzo begins to smell toasted, 2-3 more minutes. 
  4. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt and continue to cook just until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
  5. Slowly pour in chicken stock and stir into orzo mixture, scraping any brown bits off the bottom of skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover, leaving lid askew. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has evaporated.

Remove from heat and carefully stir in spinach and corn, letting the residual heat lightly wilt the spinach. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan, then add sausage back into skillet. Taste for seasoning, adjusting as necessary. Serve with additional parmesan and chopped parsley. 

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 (13 oz) Butterball Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage, cut into ½-inch-thick slices
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 green onions, diced
  • 1½ cups dried orzo
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 2½ cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn 
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan, plus more for serving
  • Handful fresh chopped parsley

Nutritional Facts

People Served
4
Carbs Per Serving
50g
Cholesterol Per Serving
67mg
Dietary Fiber Per Serving
8.7g
Protein Per Serving
29g
Saturated Fat Per Serving
11g
Sodium Per Serving
2186mg
Sugar Per Serving
10g
Total Fat Per Serving
2.9g