Hearty farro, savoury vegetables and veggie sausage come together to make the most incredible comfort food dinner! Finished with creamy goat cheese and fresh parsley, you’ll want to make this farro recipe again and again, it’s that good!
This sausage, vegetable and farro recipe was originally posted in November 2017, but has been updated with new pictures, recipe details and recipe tweaks.
Have you ever made something so good that you just grabbed a fork and started to devour straight from the pan?
Well, that’s what happened when I made this farro with vegetables and sausage. When the dish was finished, I was so happy and literally danced around the kitchen (I was home alone too, may I add). I couldn’t wait to share with you all!
To me, this farro recipe has risotto vibes. It’s creamy, comforting and just what you want to devour on a cold fall day.
Fan of farro? Check out this fall farro salad!
Why We Love This Farro Recipe
- It can be made with veggie or regular sausage so use what works best for you!
- The recipe uses pretty simple, humble, ingredients.
- There’s little hands-on time. Most of the work is done by your stove.
- It has all the cozy, comfort food vibes, perfect on a cold day to fill (and warm) you up!
What is Farro?
Farro is a whole grain with a nutrient profile similar to quinoa.
I sure didn’t grow up on farro, but it’s something hubby and I regularly have in our pantry these days.
Farro can typically be found in any grocery store, usually alongside other grains (or, most often, in the health food section).
It’s very easy to cook and can be used in a variety of ways, like in soups, stews, salads and recipes like this one. I’ve enjoyed it in both warm and cold dishes. You really can’t go wrong.
Aside from ‘whole grain’ farro, you can get in ‘pearled’ and ‘semi-pearled’, each with different cooking times. Today’s recipe uses whole grain farro which generally takes 30 to 40 minutes to cook (but totally worth it!)
How to Make This Recipe
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Add tomatoes, olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a small baking dish. Roast and remove for use later.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the sausage. Remove and set aside once they’re done.
- Add and a little more oil to the pan and cook the diced onion.
- Stir in and cook some minced garlic.
- Add farro, broth, herbs, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook.
- Once farro has cooked, remove cover (most of the broth will be absorbed).
- Cut sausage into chunks and add back to the pan, along with kale and roasted tomatoes. Warm through until the kale wilts.
- Off heat, stir in the goat cheese. Now you have a super yummy, creamy situation going!
- Garnish with a little parsley, if you like, and dig in!
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Can I Use Regular Sausage?
Yes, you sure can!
The original recipe used regular Italian sausage, but I switched things up this time with a veggie version.
If using non-vegetarian sausage, just pan fry until they have completely cooked through and use like you would veggie sausage.
More Recipe Tips & Variations
Veggie sausage can vary quite a bit, depending on brand and variety. Some are more oily than others, for example. If you need to add a little more oil to the pan when cooking them, feel free to do so!
Instead of kale, try baby spinach.
Don’t want to roast tomatoes? Add in some sun-dried tomatoes instead!
Pine nuts make a wonderful garnish.
More Comfort Food Recipes
Hope you love this recipe for farro, vegetables and sausage as much as we do!
If you make this vegetarian farro recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Farro with Vegetables and Sausage Recipe (vegetarian)
Ingredients
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil , divided
- 4 vegan Italian sausage (about 1 pound)
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 cup whole grain farro , rinsed and drained (NOT quick cooking)
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus a pinch for tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus a pinch for tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups chopped kale (bite-sized pieces, leaves only, no stems) (loosely packed cups)
- 3 tablespoons goat cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley (garnish to taste, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place tomatoes into a small baking dish and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Roast for about 25 to 30 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large 12-inch pan (I like to use a 12-inch enameled cast-iron pan, about 2.5 to 3 inches deep) over medium heat.
- Add sausages to the pan and cook about 4 to 5 minutes on one side. Flip the sausage to the other side and continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked sausages to a plate and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to pan and, once hot, add diced onion. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until tender.
- Add garlic, stir, and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in farro, along with broth, Herbes de Provence, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a low simmer, cover and cook for about 30 to 35 minutes or until farro is cooked through and most of the broth has absorbed. Farro will naturally have a little chew and heartiness to it, even after cooked.
- Cut cooked sausage into bite-sized pieces and add back to pan, along with roasted tomatoes (and their juices) and kale. Cover and heat through for a few minutes until kale has wilted.
- Turn off heat, and stir in goat cheese. Garnish, if desired, with parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cooking instructions are for ‘whole grain’ farro. If you use another variety that takes less time, just cook per package instructions and continue with this recipe.
- Veggie sausage can vary quite a bit, depending on brand and variety. Some are more oily than others, for example. If you need to add a little more oil to the pan when cooking them, feel free to do so!
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Marissa
I can see why you devoured this straight out of the pan! So much deliciousness. We love farro and sausage in this house, so this needs to happen ASAP!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa! Hope you enjoy as much as we do!
Valentina
First of all, yes, I’ve devoured many things directly form the pan. Somehow it tastes even better that way sometimes. Second, farro is so good and I love finding new recipes for it. This one looks fantastic. A hearty one pot, beautiful dish! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thank you so much, Valentina! Happy you like it!
Laura
Ooh, Dawn! Farro is definitely my favorite Ancient Grain! This recipe is perfect for my farro-loving family! You can’t beat the nutrition, texture and flavor! this recipe feels like a perfect fall and winter dish for my family! Thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
We really enjoy it too, Laura! So hearty and yummy! Thanks so much!
David @ Spiced
I do really enjoy the ‘bite’ that farro has once it’s cooked. With that said, we don’t make farro too often around here – I’m just not sure why! This one pot meal sounds delicious. It’s the kind of comfort food that I want to curl up with on a cold night!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks David! It definitely is cold weather comfort food!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I remember this one fondly Dawn. Farro is one of my favorite grains. I love the nutty, chewy taste. And so satisfying too. Delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that, Mary Ann! It sure is! Thanks!
Tara Villa
I am a vegetarian so made this with Beyond Spicy Italian Sausage and used Vegetable Stock made with “Better than Bouillon”. It was yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
That makes me so happy! Thank you Tara! So happy you enjoyed 🙂
Miriam
Autumn is all about comfort food – craving your One Pan Italian Sausage and Farro right now (even though that it is still early morning here in London, plus I have just finished breakfast but it looks just sooo delicious :-)) Already thinking about Christmas too, I am not a last minute person at all, I like to have it all organised 🙂 Have a nice weekend, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! I think that this would be totally acceptable for breakfast 😉 Have an awesome weekend, Miriam!
Luci's Morsels
Love the flavor profile of this recipe! Italian sausage and farro sounds like a perfectly hearty and comforting meal for fall or winter!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Luci! It’s really good 😉
Adina
What a great combination! And I have started thinking about Christmas as well, not only the presents, but what I will cook and bake as well. I know what I will bake, but when it comes to Christmas dinner, I think I have changed my mind about 10 times, I went from pork roast to Chinese food to a whole turkey and so on… I will probably change my mind another 10 times again until the day comes… 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Adina! All of those dinner options sound lovely 🙂 It’ll be here before we know it!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Dawn, this looks like such an awesome and hearty fall meal! I definitely know the happy feeling when a recipe works out. Sometimes, it’s just as I had planned, and other times it’s a happy accident! But I’ll take whatever!
My Christmas prep is in full swing. I usually start a little bit in October, but by early November, my baking, shopping and decorating are well underway! It comes and goes so quickly, I like to start as early as possible!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Leanne! I know what you mean 😉
It really does go by waaaaay to fast! Seems like it was only yesterday that we were eating Christmas Day dinner!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Italian sausage and farro, I’ll say yes to that combination.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Karen! It’s really delish 🙂
cakespy
OMG this looks so freaking delicious and cozy, it makes me less angry that it’s getting cold and dark so early outside. <3
Girl Heart Food
Thank you!! Haha! Gotta love comfort food on a cold day 😉
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I love farro!! I totally understand that happy dance when you get a win on a recipe! Knowing this recipe made you that excited makes me just as excited to try it! Pinned! Hope you had a great weekend!
Girl Heart Food
Me too!! Yay! Hope you love it as much as we do 🙂 Thanks Katherine!
Marissa
I’m loving everything about this one pan beauty, Dawn! We love farro – honestly our favorite grain. And you can never go wrong with sausage! This one’s a must try!!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Marissa! It really is a must try 🙂
Christina
Yum, yum, freaking yum. Italian sausage and I are best friends. I love it so much. I eat so much dang chicken on a weekly basis I love changing up my dinner repertoire with dishes like this. I can’t wait to make it. Great job 🙂
Milena | Craft Beering
I can see why you were so excited! All of the ingredients go so well together and of course, you cannot beat eating this one pan creation straight out of the skillet. It seems wrong not to:) Cheers! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Oh, yeah, you bet I had a forkful or two straight out of the pan 😉 Thanks Milena!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Farro is my favorite! But I have to admit that I always forget to cook with it. And farro and sausage in one pan sounds even better. Those are the BEST kinds of meals especially for busy weeknights and the holidays! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. I feel like it was just this time last year…where is the pause button in life?! Pinning this deliciousness. Happy Monday!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks for the kind words and Pin, Gayle! And, yes, a pause button would be awesome 😉
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
So I don’t think I’ve ever screamed with excitement when a recipe turns out well but I’ve definitely cried happy tears–I’m not exaggerating at all. Just this weekend I made some cookie bars that made me weep :). I love the sound of this delicious dinner. So hearty and comforting! Have a great week, my dear!
Girl Heart Food
Happy tears are good too 😉 Can’t wait to see those cookie bars – they must be something special! Thanks Kelsie 🙂 Have a great week too!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Gotta love anything made in one pan!! Im super old school and wash all my dishes by hand (like, ive never used our brand new dish washer. Lol), so I totally appreciate a one pan wonder! This dish looks so cozy and comforting, Dawn!! Perfect for weeknight dinners! Cheers!
Girl Heart Food
Definitely! It definitely is comforting 🙂 Thanks Cheyanne!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Love one pan dishes and especially loving the farro and sausage combination here! So hearty and delicious! Perfect comfort food 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I do too, Jennifer! Thanks so much 🙂
David @ Spiced
Now this sounds like my kind of meal, Dawn! I love farro because it brings that chewy bite to dishes, and of course anything Italian themed is right up my alley. I’m thinking this sounds like a great recipe for these cold days that are a’comin’! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I hear ya, David!! It’ll warm ya right up 🙂 Thanks so much!
[email protected]
You’re speaking my language with this one!! Farro and Italian sausage are favorite s of mine and the fact that this is a one pot meal is very exciting!! This will be added to the menu!! Have a great day, my friend! Cheers! XO
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks Annie! Hope you love it! Have a great day too! XO
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
This looks like my kind of dish Dawn. I absolutely love farro and Italian sauasage is right up there too.I also love the addition of the artichokes and sun dried tomatoes. What a delicious hearty, comfort food meal! Pinned, and can’t wait to try! Happy Monday!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mary Ann! I hope you guys love it as much as we do 🙂 Have an awesome week!