Trader Joe’s Orzo and Sausage Bake
This Trader Joe’s orzo and sausage bake is the ultimate cozy comfort meal that comes together fast using just 7 ingredients. This is very similar to the viral orzo Boursin bake, but so much better because it uses Trader Joe’s spinach and artichoke dip! It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that tastes way fancier than the effort it takes to make.
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RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this easy orzo and sausage bake:
** Complete ingredient list in the the recipe card below
INGREDIENT NOTES & SUBSTITUTIONS
Trader Joe’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip: Look for the FROZEN dip in the cold case. You’ll want it at room temperature when it goes into the oven.
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes: As of the time of writing, these are a “newer” item from Trader Joe’s and these tomatoes are absolutely delicious! If you can’t find them, sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained) also work perfectly.
Sausage: Trader Joe’s has a number of fully-cooked chicken sausage to choose from. I love the Unexpected Cheddar and Chicken and the spicy Italian sausage the best!
CASEY’S TIPS
- Use room temperature dip: Let the spinach and artichoke dip soften before mixing–it blends much more smoothly. If you dip isn’t at room temperature, place it in a microwave safe dish and microwave it in 30 second increments until slightly soft (but dip shape is still in tact)
- Brown sausage: Add an extra layer of flavor by browning the sausage for a few minutes before adding it into the casserole dish (totally optional, though).
- Make it extra cheesy: Stir in a handful of mozzarella cheese when you add the spinach to make it extra cheesy!
- Don’t overbake: There should still be a bit of liquid in the dish when you remove it from the oven. You don’t want it to be too dry when you take it out because the orzo will continue to absorb the liquid as it cools.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
- Reheating: I typically just heat any leftovers up in the microwave for a minute or so until the dish is warmed through.
How to Serve
- Salad: This dish is a meal all on it’s own, but adding a nice green salad rounds it out perfectly.
- Bread or breadsticks: Grab a loaf of crusty bread, Trader Joe’s breadsticks, or whip up this delicious garlic bread for an easy side.
RELATED…
If you need more easy, delicious Trader Joe’s recipes like this one, please don’t miss this spinach and artichoke dip pasta, and these hearty marry me meatballs. And of course, check out the cookbook for 50+ more recipes!
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Thank you! ~ Casey
Trader Joe’s Orzo and Sausage Bake
Ingredients
- 4-5 fully cooked Trader Joe's sausages, sliced I used the Unexpected Cheddar and Chicken sausage but any pre-cooked sausage works
- 1 8.8 oz. container of Trader Joe's frozen Spinach and Artichoke Dip, at room temperature found in the frozen food aisle
- 1 16 oz. package of orzo
- 1 32 oz. container of chicken broth or stock about 4 cups
- 1 5 oz. jar of Trader Joe's slow-roasted tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped can also use sun dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 2 heaping cups of spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Optional Prep: Brown sausage for 4-5 minutes in a skillet over medium high. Set aside. You can absolutely skip this step and add the sausage right in, as-is since it's already fully cooked.
- Prep Dip (if needed): If you dip isn’t at room temperature, place it in a microwave safe dish and microwave it in 30 sec increments until slightly soft (but dip shape is still in tact)At this time, you can also preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Assemble: Spray a 9×13 casserole dish (or similar) with cooking spray. To the dish, add the orzo. Then place the block of spinach and artichoke dip in the center. Add the broth, tomatoes and sausage.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Add spinach: Uncover the dish, and stir in the spinach (the dish will still have quite a bit of liquid at this point. Submerge spinach in liquid as much as possible.
- Finish: Return the pan to the oven and continue to bake, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. There should still be a bit of liquid in the dish when you remove it from the oven. You don't want it to be too dry when you remove it from the oven because the orzo will continue to absorb the liquid as it cools.Remove from the oven and stir, stir, stir until everything is nice and creamy and the dip is fully incorporated into the dish. Make sure to get anything off the bottom of the pan, too. Allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes (it will thicken upon resting) then top with parmesan cheese and serve!
