Italian Sausage Orzo

Italian Sausage Orzo: A Hearty and Comforting One-Pot Meal

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious weeknight meal that requires minimal effort and cleanup, this Italian Sausage Orzo recipe is perfect. With savory sausage, creamy orzo, and fresh spinach, this dish is packed with flavor and comfort. It’s a one-pot wonder that can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy nights or a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces Italian sausage, see note
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional, or more to taste
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
• 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the Sausage:
   Add the sausage meat to a soup pot or Dutch oven. Over medium-high heat, cook it for about 5 minutes, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
2. Add the Onion:
   Stir in the chopped onions and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned and the onions have softened.
3. Incorporate Garlic and Orzo:
   Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and uncooked orzo. Cook for about 30 seconds, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.
4. Add Broth and Cream:
   Stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Once the mixture starts to bubble, continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring often to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Adjust the heat to medium or medium-low to ensure a gentle simmer rather than a boil.
5. Finish with Parmesan and Spinach:
   Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the freshly grated parmesan and baby spinach, and cover the pot. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking and the spinach has wilted.
6. Season and Serve:
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the dish immediately, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.

Notes:

• Italian Sausage: For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage. You can also use sweet or mild sausage depending on your preference.
• Orzo: This small pasta cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
• Cream: For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the cream with milk.

Nutrition Information:

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Servings: 4 servings

Conclusion:

This Italian Sausage Orzo is a simple yet flavorful dish that brings comfort to the table. The combination of savory sausage, creamy orzo, and fresh spinach creates a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. Perfect for those nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, and it might just become a new favorite in your household!

Enjoy this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below, and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family!

Italian Sausage Orzo

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

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16 ounces Italian sausage, see note
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional, or more to taste
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

Add the sausage meat to a soup pot/Dutch oven. Over medium-high heat, cook it for 5 minutes.
Stir in the onions and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so, until the sausage is nicely browned and the onions have softened.
Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, and orzo, and cook for 30 seconds.
Stir in the chicken broth and cream. Once it starts to bubble, continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often (or else the orzo may stick to the bottom of the pot). You will likely need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). It should gently bubble vs. boil (you don’t want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked).
Take the pot off the heat, stir in the parmesan and spinach, and cover the pot for 3-5 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 Kcal