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Home » Recipes » One Dish Dinners

Published: Jan 3, 2019 · Modified: Oct 3, 2019 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Barley Risotto with Italian Sausage and Peppers

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Barley Risotto with Italian Sausage and Peppers is just the kind of warming meal I want on a cold winter night.  Creamy, nutty pearl barley and mushrooms topped with that classic combo of  Italian sausage and peppers -true comfort food at it's best!

Large pan of barley risotto with italian sausage and peppers.

Barley Risotto Recipe

I love this barley risotto for so many reasons!  It has the creaminess of traditional risotto without all the stirring! And, like this Chicken Scarpariello, it combines Italian sausage and peppers!!!

Plus this easy barley risotto recipe is infinitely flexible! You can pretty much put whatever vegetables you have in it. You can make it ahead of time because this barley risotto reheats like a dream. 

Which means you can make a big batch, stash it in the fridge and microwave a bowl when you need it.

This is definitely a major plus when you are running an all-night diner as I seem to be doing more and more these days.

Ingredients in you will need:

  • Quick cooking barley or regular pearl barley.
  • Chicken or vegetable stock
  • Italian sausage - I used chicken Italian Sausage but feel free to use whatever type of Italian sausage is your favorite!
  • Bell peppers - I used red, orange and yellow but you could also use green.
  • Mushrooms - I used Cremini mushrooms because I like their richer flavor but regular white mushrooms can be used as well.
  • Olive oil
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Madiera wine - OPTIONAL. I love the hint of sweetness the Madiera gives the risotto but if you don't have any, feel free to use a dry white wine or leave it out altogether!
  • Italian parsley

So what is barley and how do you cook it?

  • Barley is a member of the grass family.
  • Pearled barley is barley with the husk and bran removed and is the most common type sold in stores.
  • To cook pearled barley, you combine barley and water or stock in a pan and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes.
  • Quick-cooking barley is pearled barley that has been rolled and flaked like instant oats. The cooking process for quick-cooking barley is the same as pearled barley, except the cooking time is only about 10 minutes.

I am a big fan of quick-cooking barley, which is what I use in this sausage, peppers, and mushroom barley risotto.

How to make Barley Risotto

Step #1: Saute the sausage to get a nice sear on it!

pan with cooked sausage for the italian sausage and peppers

Step #2: Remove the sausage and add the mushrooms. Saute, remove and then add the onions and peppers....

pan with onions and peppers for the barley risotto.

Step #3: Add the wine and cook and then the barley, mushrooms, stock and simmer. Add the sausage back to warm and then serve!

Overhead image of barley risotto with italian sausage and peppers with a glass of wine.

Like Quick and Easy Meals? Then I think you'll love...

  • Yogurt Marinated Chicken - the juiciest grilled chicken ever!
  • Olive Chicken - Moroccan inspired chicken with green olives and lemon!
  • Shrimp Louie - succulent shrimp with romaine, tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs lashed with a Thousand Island like dressing!
  • Teriyaki Chicken - the classic is kicked up with a sprinkle of ginger, orange zest and toasted sesame seeds

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would love to know!! Please leave me a comment and rate the recipe!!! Thank you so much!!

Large pan of barley risotto with italian sausage and peppers.

Italian Sausage and Peppers Barley Risotto

Italian Sausage and Peppers Barley Risotto is just the kind of warming meal I want on a cold winter night.  Creamy, nutty barley topped with that classic combo of  Italian sausage and peppers, it's warming, hearty and filling. Just the kind of curl-up-in-front-of-the-fire-with-a-bowl meal that I crave when the temperature drops!
4.38 from 8 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 218kcal
Author: Nancy Buchanan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup quick cooking barley see note
  • 8 oz. turkey italian sausage fully cooked chicken sausage, cut into ½ inch dice or cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion medium dice
  • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
  • ½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 2 - 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 Tbsp. Madeira wine
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped italian parsley or fresh basil

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook sausage, until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. When cooked, remove from pan and set aside. 
  • Add olive oil to pan and heat until oil shimmers. Add mushrooms and cook, without stirring until mushrooms are browned. Stir and brown on the other side. Remove mushrooms and set aside.
  • Add onions and peppers to pan and cook over medium-high heat until onions and peppers are tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Add Madeira wine scraping up any browned bits.
  • Add stock and then barley. Bring mixture to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until barley has absorbed all the liquid. Stir in reserved mushrooms and sausage. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in parsley. Serve

Recipe Notes

Notes:
  • Quick-cooking barley can be found in some supermarkets and from natural food stores.
  • If you are using regular pearled barley, cook the barley separately. Combine 1 cup of barley and 3 cups of stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer the barley for 25 - 35 minutes. The barley is done when it has tripled in volume and is tender and chewy!
  • Proceed with the recipe as written, except you won't need to add the stock to the saute pan!
Variations:
  • As I mentioned, this dish is very flexible. You could eliminate the peppers and add frozen, chopped spinach and top with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  • For a meatless entry, add some sauteed tofu in place of the sausage or add a can of rinsed small white or garbanzo beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Vitamin C: 29.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 4.8mg
YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

More One Dish Dinners

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  • One Pan Chicken Scarpariello with Sausage Recipe
  • Provencale Braised Top Round Roast
  • Leftover Spaghetti Pasta Frittata

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valentina says

    January 04, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    5 stars
    Nancy, this looks like the best comfort food dish! You are so right about curling up in front of a fire with it. Risotto is always a favorite in our house and I love how hearty this one is. Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      January 06, 2019 at 10:57 am

      Happy New Year Valentina!! This risotto is definitely hearty - and one my boys love - especially as leftovers!!! We've been curling up in front of the fire every night - woo hoo!!

      Reply
  2. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    October 07, 2019 at 4:32 am

    5 stars
    Nancy, I love everything about this dish! I'm so craving it for dinner tonight! Love the creaminess of the barley and all those flavors - YUM!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      October 07, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Thanks Kelly - making this for dinner tonight and making a double batch since it freezes and re heats so well!

      Reply
  3. Tony says

    January 29, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    I'm sure this is a nice recipe (i'll be making it tonight), but my lord please use grams for things like mushrooms and capsicums

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      February 02, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      As most of my audience is U.S. based, grams aren't our standard unit of measure :-(.

      Reply

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SALUD, BONJOUR AND CIAO!
Hi, I’m Nancy Buchanan! At A Communal Table, you’ll find simple, delicious recipes inspired by world cuisine.

With my step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks, I invite you to explore the world…one plate at a time!
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