Large pot
Whisk or hand mixer
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage, loose
- 4 ribs celery with leaves, trimmed and sliced; leaves minced and kept separate
- 3 parsnips, peeled, trimmed, and sliced into half-moons
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 cup orzo
- 3 cups water or chicken stock
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons freshly minced parsley, divided
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested; zest kept separate from the juice
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving
- Extra virgin olive oil, for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
Brown the sausage:
Turn the heat on a large pot to medium-high. Crumble the sausage into the pot. Cook, turning the sausage occasionally, for 10–15 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the fat in the pot.
Cook the celery and parsnips:
Add the sliced celery ribs and parsnips to the pot. Cook over medium-high heat without moving for 5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the parsnips begin to char and soften, about 10 minutes total. Turn the parsnips occasionally as they cook, but don’t disturb them too much.
Season the parsnips and celery with garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and add the minced celery leaves.
Return the sausage to the pot and add the orzo. Toss to combine and season once more with salt and pepper.
Simmer the orzo:
Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the orzo is al dente. Stir the orzo occasionally to ensure that it’s not sticking to the bottom of the pot. Taste and season.
Prepare the whipped ricotta:
Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 32g | Sodium: 721mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 19mg