Orzo Salad with Artichokes and Sausage

Not to brag or anything, but I'm really proud of myself for making dinner every night last week. Better yet, I made dinner every night last week and none of the meals came from a box or the freezer, and they all had vegetables and healthy ingredients in them. Which is basically a huge step up to me making a box of mac n cheese and microwaving a can of green beans and calling it good. Those are the meals that don't make it on the blog, but believe me, they happen. 

This meal was definitely my favorite from last week. I had never had pesto before making this, and now I'm mad at myself for waiting 23 years before giving it a try. It was delicious! I also loved how easy this was to prepare, and all the vegetables that are incorporated in it. I've been really surprised by how healthy our dinners have been lately, and how much Derek has actually been eating them. He went back for thirds on this meal too. Which is basically better than him telling me he loves me. 

Recipe from All You Magazine 

Ingredients: 

2 9oz boxes of frozen artichokes, thawed and patted dry

Salt

2 tbsp olive oil

12 oz smoked sausage chopped into 1/2 in rounds

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 lb orzo

1/2 cup pesto

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°F, Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the artichokes with 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt; roast 15 minutes. Stir in sausages and tomatoes; roast until heated through, about 15 minutes longer.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo until tender, about 9 minutes. Drain; toss with pesto in a large bowl. 

Toss artichoke mixture with orzo and Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve.