Last night, Jason and I went jean shopping (for me). I typically don’t like going to the mall after a workday because I’m just exhausted and I just want to lie around on the couch watching tv. We got home earlier than usual last night so we ate an early dinner and then headed on out to the mall. I hate jean shopping. Clothes shopping is typically ok with me but when it comes to jeans, I loathe it. It’s SO hard for me to find the perfect pair of jeans. I just don’t know what it is. Maybe I’m too picky.
I feel like the quality of jeans have gone down in the past few years. Every pair of jeans I picked up yesterday felt like jeggings. They weren’t the typical all-American jean material that you’re used to, they had some weird slippery, ultra-stretchy feel to it. I tried a pair on that felt like jeans and omg, I felt like I was sausage being squeezed into a casing. Seriously, I’m not saying I’m fat by any means, but these jeans were literally skin tight. The second my leg went into one of the legs, it’s as if I were wearing spanx or some crazy spandex of some sort. Anyway, long story short, I didn’t end up buying any; no surprise there! So, I was at Nordstrom’s and that’s typically where I buy my jeans so it’s got me wondering: where do you find jeans that you love? What’s your favorite brand?
Roasted vegetables and andouille orzo is just as simple and delicious as dinner can get. Orzo is probably one of my favorite pastas right now. I’ve made so many orzo dishes in the past several months (you’ll see them on the blog soon!) and this one is definitely on the top of the list as one of my favorites. You already know how much I adore roasted vegetables and adding them in an orzo dish just amplifies a regular pasta dish. I threw in andouille for a meat component. I love the flavors of andouille sausage and it really does go well with the sweetness of the roasted vegetables. You can omit the andouille if you want to make this a strictly vegetarian dish, though!
Roasted Vegetables and Andouille Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 cups of roasted vegetables
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 3/4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 3 andouille sausage links, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
- 1/2 tsp pepper, more to taste
Instructions
- In a large, heavy stockpot (such as a Le Creuset dutch oven), over medium high heat, add olive oil to the pot and sauté garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the andouille sausage and cook until the outsides are brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add the orzo to the pot, stir around to toast it a little bit then add in the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to a medium low, cover, and let orzo cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The orzo should absorb all the liquid by the end of the cooking process and be a nice, creamy consistency. At this point, remove the pot from the heat, add the salt and pepper, then add the roasted vegetables. Toss to incorporate everything together.
- Serve warm.
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Mmmm, I love the flavours and the colours of this pasta!
If you get great suggestions Julie, please broadcast them! I haven’t bought a pair I like in years. In fact I hate every pair of Jeans I own. I can’t wait for the “skinny jean” trend to go away, not all of us are cut out for them. In the mean time I could go for a bowl of this orzo to nurse my bad jean wounds!
So nice and simple and tasty!
I love roasting veggies too, it’s the best way to eat them!
As for jeans, I always get mine from American Eagle. They never let me down!
You’ll have to keep me posted on the jeans issue because I’d love to try some better jeans! I hear you’ve really got to spend some $$ for a good fit but idk… I’m cheap when it comes to clothes lol ;) BTW you make veggies so pretty
Jeans hsopping is the WORST thing EVER! I stopped shopping at Nordstroms because all I could find were those sausage jeans. Nope, not gonna happen. I like Buckle for mine – because they have real jeans that aren’t paper thing or sausagey! Or Costco. I’m lame, I know. haha
Great way to use the roasted veggies!
Can’t wait to try this! I hate jean shopping as well. I feel I have to spend a fortune on them. I got turned onto a brand I found at Macy’s, Kut….they are fantastic in my opinion and long enough, I’m 6’0.
Thanks for the tip, Paula!
oooooh! I will never say no to andouille and veggies!!
Ugh. Don’t even get me started on jean shopping!!!!
Gorgeous meal, Julie!!! I could eat endless bowls of this!
It’s funny you mentioned jean shopping because I haven’t bought jeans (or wore them) in years but last week I bought a dark pair at Target and love them. They have a bit of stretch to them for comfort but they’re very structured and can be dressed up if needed.
Anyways, loving this recipe and those roasted veggies!
I hate jeans shopping!! The worst is I finally found a style and brand I liked. Then we moved, and they don’t have a store that carries them around here. So I asked for a pair for Christmas, got them, and they didn’t fit. They totally changed the sizing, even thought the name and everything else is the same :(
I love orzo, the sausage and veggies is such a great pairing for it!
The sweetness from roasted veggies is amazing, and coupled with orzo and sausage, this has me salivating already! You’re absolutely right about the trends in jeans. I wear Lee classic fit straight leg. Wish I could get some with no stretch at all, but these are the next best thing.
Thanks for the tip, Sherry! I’ll have to try some Lee’s!
Yummy…this looks delicious. May have to try soon. As far as jeans shopping, I hate it too. But this past week I was at a Chico’s Outlet store. No, didn’t buy any but there’s are a sort of stretch and never stretch out on you! I am big in the saddlebags and small in the waist so none ever fit me! But these were nice when I tried them on. Good luck.
Levis all the way, I love going to the big Levis store we have in San Francisco. The people there are so good at finding you the right jeans in the right size. You can tell them what you like and they just keep bringing you options to your fitting room. and they last forever!
Oh, perfect, Jessica! We have a Levi’s store in the area, I should definitely go check some out. Thank you!
This dish looks delish!
As for jeans, I only buy Silver brand jeans. They have several different sizes and styles. I get them at Maurices or Dillards.
This looks amazing!!!
I swear by Rock N’ Republic jeans. They are made from real materials and are so flattering!
I can totally relate to your jean shopping experience. It’s the worst! I tried on a pair of jean leggings one time, and I thought I was never going to get them off. Anyway, this recipe looks so delicious. But is it filling by itself– or did you add some bread along with it?
This looks so good! I am in fact eating a bowl of roasted veggies (zucchini, squash, purple and yellow peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red onion – veggie drawer needed to be cleaned out! ) but my veggies are resting on some spaghetti squash….yours looks so much better.
Looks amazing!!
Ann Taylor
Loft
White House black market
Love the jeans
Your photos are outrageously delicious looking, how colorful. I could eat this all day.
Aw thank you so much Coleen!
Oh, girl…I hate shopping for jeans as well. The stretchy ones feel so gross on! I feel like I’m wearing pajama jeans. Try Kut from the Kloth or Silver Jeans. I get my Kut jeans from Nordie’s and my Silver jeans from Macy’s. Awesome fit and good quality. LOVE your photography here and this recipe! Yum. Sorry I missed you yesterday. Had a bad allergic reaction to fingerling potatoes of all things. Woke up swollen and blotchy. Had to take Benadryl and it totally knocked me on my bum. Thanks for sharing and I will pin tonight!
GREAT & healthy pasta dish!
I’m coming over for dinner tonight :) Make this please!!!
What a great combination! And, as far as jeans go, I hate shopping for them, too. (Which seems to be the popular opinion.) Funny enough, as much as I don’t really like Old Navy, my two favorite pairs of jeans that I’ve had for 1-2 years now are from there!
For other clothes, TJ Maxx is my best friend.
xoxo
What a comforting dinner dish! Love all of the roasted veggies!
I’m going to try this next week!
As for jeans, American Eagle is the only place I can find jeans short enough and that fit my legs that are also not skin tight.
Ha! SO TRUE about jeans. I’m still a GAP girl. They are the only ones that fit this long-legged girl. :)
And this orzo looks beautiful! Love the andouille!
You should try jean shopping after having kids!! It’s enough to bring a girl to tears in the change room. HOWEVER. I have found true love with J Brand jeans. They are slightly high waisted (good for those of us with baby tummies) and so comfy!
Good luck.
O M G
I am loving this!
I love orzo, this looks like a bowl of comfort! Perfect use for those gorgeous roasted veggies.
I love jeans from Ann Taylor Loft. They fit well, and and have different fits so once you find the one that’s good for you, you can get them in different colours.
I love the look of that orzo dish — looks like the perfect supper to me!
You’re so right about jeans. They keep making them skinnier and with thinner fabrics! I still like the Gap.
This is such a yummy and hearty meal!
What a perfect dish Julie! Those roasted veggies, orzo and andouille? Yes please!
Hi Julie
I’ve made this twice – with a few adaptations if I didn’t have everything on hand – my family gives it 2 thumbs up as do I because it’s so easy to make. I haven’t bought jeans in a long time but when I did I loved the jeans from express and the gap. Also, I showed my daughter your post about stitch fix – she signed up and loves it. Thanks for all you do!
Regards,
Lisa
Hi Lisa! So glad it got the 2 thumbs up from your family! Thanks for the feedback and the recommendation for jeans! I’m thrilled your daughter loves Stitch Fix :) thank you for being a loyal reader!
Oh goodness, these roasted vegetables look so vibrant :) I can’t wait to taste this dish!!
Made this with vegetarian sausage (I don’t eat meat but it sounded too tasty to leave out) and it was delicious! Thanks!
Sounds great, Valerie!
I subbed vegetarian sausage and veggie stock to keep the orzo meat-free and it was great! So quick and healthy!
Thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed!
Do you think it would be okay to roast the vegetables the night before? I want to make it this week but the night I can make it I won’t have as much time.
You definitely could! Enjoy!
Julie, this recipe is amazinggg and has become one I regularly make. I have actually been using chicken andouille sausage that I buy from whole foods. It’s cheaper and a little less oily. I personally don’t think it compromises on flavor though regular andouille sausage is definitely delicious too. This dish is tastes just as good when heated up the next day. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Glad you’re enjoying this regularly! I love that you’re using a chicken version of the sausage :)