Baked Feta and Sausage Couscous is the one pan, balanced dinner of the summer. Highly customizable and with only 15 minutes of prep, it's fast and tasty.
Couscous is underrated. I love a curried couscous salad, but it can also easily be used in a one pan meal like this baked feta and sausage couscous.
This baked feta and sausage couscous is one of my favourite easy dinners because it relies on flavourful ingredients to speed up the cooking process. The salt and herbs in both the feta and sausage help season the couscous and veggies, creating a dish the whole family will love.
It's a one pan meal that's different than your typical chicken, potato and broccoli sheet pan dinner! If you loved my butternut squash, kale and sausage orzo, this is its summer version. You're going to be obsessed.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Any vegetables work. This baked feta and sausage couscous works with pretty much any leftover veggie in the fridge. The cherry tomatoes are key, but the rest is flexible.
- Minimal prep. As this is a dump and bake recipe using a pre-made protein, it requires close to no preparation.
- Balanced. We have protein, fibre, healthy fats and tons of flavour for a satisfying meal that will keep you full.
Ingredients
Sausages. For our easy protein. I usually like to use Italian turkey sausages however you can also use pork sausages or even veggie sausages if you prefer.
Feta cheese. The star of the show if the baked feta. I was inspired by the viral baked feta pasta to use baked feta as the sauce for this couscous based recipe. I recommend using the block that comes in brine, instead of the pre-crumbled.
Vegetables. This recipe is so easy to customize based on what you have in the fridge. I always include cherry tomatoes to create a nice tomato sauce when mixed with the feta. However, beyond that you can use any vegetables you have on hand.
Couscous. Pearl couscous is one of my very favourite carbohydrates to add to meals. It’s almost a cross between a small pasta and a rice (or a larger version of a traditional couscous) and it’s usually found in the pasta or rice aisle in the grocery store.
Spinach. I love adding chopped spinach into my pasta dishes as it’s an easy way to add additional vegetables. In this dish, we stir a handful of spinach and it will quickly wilt down until it’s hardly noticeable.
Basil. Fresh basil is the best way to freshen up any pasta dish!
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 F.
In a 8x11’ rectangle oven safe dish, add cherry tomatoes and chopped vegetables. Drizzle with 3 tablespoon of the olive oil, add garlic cloves, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
Add feta to the center of the dish, drizzling the top with the final 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Flip the feta block a few times to ensure it is coated in the oil and spices.
Arrange the sausages within the vegetables and bake for about 35 minutes, rotating the sausages halfway through cooking. While the feta, sausages and vegetables are baking, cook the pearl couscous according to package instructions (don't forget to salt the water). Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water to add to the final dish if needed.
Once cooked, remove the sausages and slice into equal sized pieces. Use a fork to break up the feta, stirring the vegetables and feta together. Add the sliced sausages and cooked couscous back into the dish, add additional reserved cooking water if needed. Stir in spinach until wilted and garnish with fresh basil.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: look for a gluten free couscous, pasta or even quinoa.
To make dairy-free: use a dairy-free feta cheese such as this one.
To make vegetarian: instead of turkey sausages, try using a vegetarian sausage option or even substituting the meat all together with some chickpeas.
To make nut-free: this recipe is naturally nut-free.
Switching up ingredients? Try this:
- Pearl couscous: swap for quinoa or another small pasta like orzo and elbow macaroni
- For a fibre boost: for additional fiber and plant-based protein, you can replace the sausages with 1 x540 ml can of chickpeas (just makes sure you rinse and drain it first) *OR add in about 1 cup of chickpeas with the vegetables in addition to the sausage!
- Other vegetables to try: zucchini, eggplant, cauliflower, etc. This is a fairly forgiving recipe!
Equipment
Storage
Baked feta and sausage couscous can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Top Tips for Success
This is a great ‘clean out the fridge meal’! take stock of what vegetables you have on hand, chop them up and add them to the baking dish.
If you want an even saucier couscous dish, increase the amount of cherry tomatoes to 2 cups. Don't forget to save ½ cup of couscous water after cooking as well. This is a great way to add a bit more moisture to the ‘sauce’ if it comes out dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe was created by Yumna of Feel Good Foodie. It went viral in 2021!
It can be either, but it can stand alone as a full meal. This recipe contains vegetables, carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats making it a great option for an easy balanced meal.
I have not tested this recipe using any protein other than chickpeas and sausages. If you would like to try with chicken, I’m sure it will work. The cook time just may vary slightly based on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts.
Yes you can however if you decide to use frozen vegetables, I recommend beginning to bake the veggie for 15 minutes and draining the excess water PRIOR to adding the cheese and sausage (and then continuing with the recipe as written).
More Easy Dinner Recipes
I love one pan or sheet pan meals to speed up dinner. Try these next:
- Sheet Pan Tofu Fajitas
- Oven Baked Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan
- One Pan Taco Skillet
- Butternut Squash and Sausage Orzo with Kale
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this baked feta and sausage couscous, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Baked Feta and Sausage Couscous
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped vegetables of choice ie. broccoli and diced red peppers
- 4 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 8 oz block of feta cheese
- 4 Italian turkey sausages
- 1.5 cups uncooked pearl couscous
- 1 cup of loosely chopped spinach
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- In a 8x11’ rectangle oven safe dish, add cherry tomatoes and chopped vegetables. Drizzle with 3 tablespoon of the olive oil, add garlic cloves, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
- Add feta to the center of the dish, drizzling the top with the final 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Flip the feta block a few times to ensure it is coated in the oil and spices.
- Arrange the sausages within the vegetables and bake for about 35 minutes, rotating the sausages halfway through cooking.
- While the feta, sausages and vegetables are baking, cook the pearl couscous according to package instructions (dont forget to salt the water). *reserve ½ cup of the cooking water to add to the final dish if needed*
- Once cooked, remove the sausages and slice into equal sized pieces. Use a fork to break up the feta, stirring the vegetables and feta together. Add the sliced sausages and cooked couscous back into the dish, add additional reserved cooking water if needed. Stir in spinach until wilted and garnish with fresh basil.
Trish says
Delicious 👍👍👍
I added a can of chickpea's
Done says
This so good and versatile. My favorite is with farro instead of the couscous.
Emily Whisnant says
Loved how easy this was! Definitely a great 30 minute meal to add in to my rotation. Frozen veggies made it even better!
Karyn says
This was so quick and delicious! I would definitely make again and might try to vary the sausage with mild and spicy Italian. Highly recommend this recipe!
Nicole Addison says
An EASY weeknight dinner I know you are going to love!!