Whip up this quick farro recipe, loaded with chicken sausage, tomatoes and arugula, for a healthy and easy weeknight meal. 224 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

There's nothing like a jam-packed week of travel, soccer tournaments and Kung-Fu classes to force busy parents to seriously consider driving straight to the nearest drive-thru at dinnertime. But even if you are trying to keep it healthy, there are only so many 6-inch turkey breast Subway sandwiches that one family can withstand.

When our schedules reach maximum density and the baby chicks are crying for "something good", we start rummaging through the pantry and delving into our creative reserves, or whatever is left of them. These are the times when we need an arsenal of quick and easy recipes that we can fall back on, such as this farro recipe, which is packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables.

And with busy and active boys roaming around our house, we need something to fuel them in their next soccer game or Kung-Fu sparring match.

Burning off energy while doing the thing that makes him happiest.

Kicking some Kung-Fu bootie while decked out in sparring gear.

Farro typically takes up to 30 minutes to cook, but I always turn to Trader Joe's 10-Minute Quick Cooking Farro for busy weeknights.

The quick farro recipe:

Combine the farro and chicken broth in a medium saucepan. Cook according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and drain, reserving the liquid.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the sausages and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are starting to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the sausages to a bowl.

Heat the olive oil in the same skillet. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.

Add ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of the reserved farro cooking liquid, cover and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the tomatoes are softened, about 3 minutes. Press the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon so that they burst.

Add 2 additional tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid and stir in the farro, cooked sausage and arugula.

Transfer the farro to a serving dish and top with the Parmesan cheese.

Other tasty whole grain recipes:

Lemon Quinoa Salad with Pistachios & Sun-Dried Tomatoes {Cookin' Canuck}
Toasted Barley & Shrimp Salad Recipe {Cookin' Canuck}
Barley Risotto with Root Vegetables {Camille Styles}
Powerhouse Bulgur Salad with Orange Vinaigrette {Neighborfood}

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Quick Farro Recipe with Chicken Sausage, Tomatoes & Arugula

Whip up this quick farro recipe, loaded with chicken sausage, tomatoes and arugula, for a healthy and easy weeknight meal. 224 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

4.75 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Poultry Recipes

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: Servings

Calories: 224.1kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

1 ½ cups quick-cooking farro
2 ½ cups low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
2 precooked Italian chicken sausages cut into half-circles
1 ½ teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 ½ cups grape tomatoes
1 ½ cups packed arugula
½ teaspoon ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Combine the farro and chicken broth in a medium saucepan. Cook according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and drain, reserving the liquid.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the sausages and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are starting to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the sausages to a bowl.
Heat the olive oil in the same skillet. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
Add ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of the reserved farro cooking liquid, cover and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the tomatoes are softened, about 3 minutes. Press the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon so that they burst.
Add 2 additional tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid and stir in the farro, cooked sausage and arugula.
Transfer the farro to a serving dish and top with the Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Points+)

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

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Comments

4.75 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)