43 Comments
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Caroline Chambers's avatar

The raw kind of chicken sausage! Like not the precooked links. They always sell it in a tube at Whole Foods for sure!

Brooke's avatar

This was so so so good! I kept mmming the whole time we were eating it. and love that it's truly a one pan meal. I'm admittedly going to be that person who made a bunch of alterations but I know Caro always encourages subs so I feel like this is a safe space lol.

-Added a bag of spinach

-Did a whole onion instead of the shallot

-Halved the sausage and added mushrooms

-Did water + better than bouillon for the stock and left out the milk

-Nixed the cheddar and just did the parm

This formula for 'orzotto' is just so wonderful. I feel like I can get creative with it! I was considering going the butternut squash + sage route - so maybe I'll try that next time!

Joanne's avatar

Could you swap cauliflower for some of the risotto?

Caroline Chambers's avatar

Yes you absolutely could! Cut down on the liquid by a tiny bit (like 2 tbsp) because the cauliflower will release liquid!

Julie M's avatar

Forgot to buy orzo (hand to face) so swapped mini bowtie pasta and it came out so so good! I just cut the liquid measurement to 3 cups :) delish

Caroline Chambers's avatar

GREAT to know about this swap, thank you!!!!

Jess's avatar

Mmmm just made this. So good, and so easy! I added in several handfuls of baby kale and some white pepper. 🤤

Caroline Chambers's avatar

I love white pepper!! I always want to use it in recipes but feel like no one owns it. Love these alterations! Xx

Jess's avatar

Just speaks to the versatility of your recipes! Gah I can’t wait to eat these leftovers 🤌

Caroline Chambers's avatar

i froze a ziploc full and ate it last week! PERFECT leftovers.

Emily Webster's avatar

This was so delicious! Perfect for lots of leftovers too!

Caroline Chambers's avatar

Such good leftovers!!!!! So glad y’all loved it.

Clare Molnar's avatar

This is sooooooo good. Made exactly as written except with white rice instead of orzo bc celiac husband. This needs to be reposted or something so everyone is aware of this masterpiece

Jacqui Singer's avatar

Awe nostalgic making this tonight. WTC 2020 bb Caro and Calamari ❤️

Caroline Chambers's avatar

Omggg sweet Margarita baby

Jacqui Singer's avatar

I made a ranch water in solidarity. Felt required.

Britt Sloan's avatar

This was so good! Didn’t have cheddar so subbed Gruyère and it was delish!

Carly's avatar

I used sweet potato instead of butternut squash and served some chicken sausage and green beans on the side. The whole fam (20 month old included) loved it!

Katie Rees's avatar

Its like grown-up hamburger helper! I made this for a friend last night and she exclaimed. "this is the best thing you've ever made!" and I've cooked a bunch for her. Could have been that she had just gotten home from a trip and a 12 hour day in the airport, but hey I'll still take the credit. Fairly simple, just lots of chopping, made a HUGE batch. I added some spinach to make myself feel healthy. Would be great for a meal train. We loved it, thank you!

Sara H's avatar

My 2 year old absolutely housed this! Added spinach like some of the other comments said. So cozy and delicious and perfect for the cold weather we’ve been having!

Dubbie's avatar

Trying this one this week! I have frozen butternut squash on hand. Will that change anything?

Caroline Chambers's avatar

should work perfectly -- maybe add 5 minutes but i dont even think so

Jodie Meyn's avatar

My family called this a keeper! So rich and comforting!

Claire Williams's avatar

I can’t believe I haven’t made this recipe before! Delicious fall flavors, and the lemon juice is the perfect finishing touch to tie it all together. Very doable for any skill level of cooking - I was never stressed while making this. As usual, this dish maximizes flavorful ingredients to limit the ingredient list and keep the recipe simple without sacrificing taste. Will be adding this to the regular meal rotation!!

Amanda's avatar

Just made this to use up half a squash from another recipe, and another small squash from the garden. So a bit more than the recipe called for. Mostly orzo rice with a little white rice ‘cause I ran out; ground beef/pork blend with a little Italian seasoning and a little added bacon grease ‘cause there was less fat content. Amazing! I did not tell the kiddos the yellow color came from all that squash. I thoroughly used a potato masher to hide that fact, so it just looks like cheesy meaty rice! ☺️