Vegan - Ultimate Sausage and Orzo Casserole

I haven't been posting much lately.  We've been in the habit of making some of our favorite recipes so there hasn't been any new ones made or new pictures taken until recently.

The following recipe reminds me of a loaded Italian sausage pizza, but with pasta instead of a crust.  I haven't tried it with rice or quinoa, but I am sure you could substitute it if you are looking for gluten free - but the sausage would still have gluten.  We rarely eat pasta, but it is a nice treat every once in a while in moderation.

I adapted this recipe from a Costco recipe I photocopied from somewhere a while ago.  Might have been their monthly magazine, might have been the Thanksgiving cookbook, I can't really remember.  Either way I have changed it to suit our tastes and, of course, veganized it.

ULTIMATE SAUSAGE AND ORZO CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg Gimme Lean Italian Sausage or Field Roast Italian Sausage links (4 pk) ** see note below
1 Onion, peeled and diced
1 Green Pepper, diced
8-10 Brown Crimini Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup Water with 1/2 tsp No Chicken Bouillon mixed in
2 tsp minced Garlic
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp Fennel Seeds
6 oz bag Baby Spinach
10 oz Orzo Pasta
       Handful of Grape Tomatoes - optional
**  Almond Parmesan - recipe HERE

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Cook orzo according to package directions.

2.  In the meantime depending on whether you are using Gimme Lean or Field Roast do one of the following:  If using Gimme Lean - crumble as best you can and cook over medium heat in large frying pan, breaking into smaller pieces as you cook.  Set aside. - OR - If you are using Field Roast links (which is what I did) simply take them out of the plastic casings, quarter the links lengthwise and dice into small pieces and set aside.  They are pre-cooked.

3.  In a large frying pan saute the onion, green pepper, and mushrooms with 1/4 cup of the no-chicken stock on medium-high heat until softened a bit and juices are released from the mushrooms.  Add in garlic, cayenne, and fennel seeds and cook another 2-3 minutes.

4.  Add the remaining 1/4 cup no-chicken stock and the bag of spinach and saute until spinach has barely wilted.  Add Field Roast or cooked Gimme Lean sausages pieces to the frying pan.  Stir and heat until sausages are warm and incorporated.

5.  By now your orzo should be cooked.  Drain, rinse and add to the pan with the rest of the ingredients. Stir, then add in grape tomatoes if you desire and serve sprinkled with the almond parmesan and a little fresh ground pepper.  

NOTE - Field Roast sausages are now available at Costco.

- Bon Appetit

" Those who forget the pasta are doomed to reheat it." - Author Unknown
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