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}
Printable Recipe
Quick Farro Recipe with Chicken Sausage, Tomatoes & Arugula
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
- â…› 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
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Laura
I love this recipe! It's very easy but full of flavour. It's a really great addition to my list of go-to favourites.
Kim
I love farro and was looking for a healthy recipe to make with it. This was great, really delicious! Thanks.
Laura Paquet
Fantastic recipe! I'd never cooked with farro before (not sure I've even tried it in a restaurant), but it was easy and filling. My whole family liked it a lot.
Jamie
How are there no reviews for this? I loved it. Recently discovered farro and this recipe was so simple, fresh, and foolproof. I did sub spinach for the arugala because it was what I had in the fridge, but it was still super delicious!
Dara
Thanks so much for weighing in. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jenny Ramsey
Hi, Dara!
How much sausage did you use? I know you said two links, but I want to make sure I use the right amount for the Weight Watchers Points! Do you know the weight or volume that you used? Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Hi Jenny, the sausages that I used (5th Avenue Grill turkey sausages) are 85g each. Here is a the nutritional information for one sausage: http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/5th-street-grill/turkey-sausages/ I hope that helps!
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh wow, those tomatoes looks delicious! What a tasty meal 🙂
janice
I am making the recipe right now and the directions on the Trader Joe's Farro package say to use 1 cup liquid for 1/2 cup farro so that would be three cups liquid for 1 1/2 c Farro. Should I follow the package or do the 2 1/2 cups. Maybe it won;t matter. I'll see how it goes.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Janice, if you use the full 3 cups, you'll have plenty of extra liquid to drain out at the end of cooking. I reduced the amount of broth to 2 1/2 cups so that I didn't waste the chicken broth. That being said, either method will work. I hope you enjoy it!
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
This is my kind of meal! I'm addicted to farro right now. We'll be trying this soon!
Pretend Chef
This sounds amazing and packed full of flavor. Thank for sharing the recipe.
Brian @ A Thought For Food
Such a wonderful, hearty dish! I have a newfound appreciation for farro and I think I could get Eric on board too with the inclusion of chicken sausage.
Happy Valley Chow
Wow that looks fantastic with a ton of great flavors. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Amanda
Sounds perfect and I love the Kung Fu pic!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
I bought a whole slew of grains when my daughter started chemo treatment; I wanted to make her super nutritious meals to help her keep as healthy as possible. Now why haven't I made any for me? Very good question but a dish like this, with so many other favorites is right up my alley, this will be done. Sounds delish.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
Yesterday I cooked a huge batch of wheat berries and this is exactly the type of recipe I need to turn it into a meal!! YUM!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Love how easy this recipe is Dara - and yes, perfect for those crazy, crazy weekends with all the kids' activities!
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
I've ordered farro at restaurants, but never have made it at home, so this is perfect! I love turkey sausage and quick meals...hello perfect!
I love that you have active kids! So important...I hope my future children are that way 🙂