Italian Sausage Orzo – A One-Pot Hearty Meal
Italian Sausage Orzo – A quick and easy one-pot meal with flavorful sausage, creamy orzo, fresh spinach, and Parmesan. Ready in just 30 minutes, this hearty dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
Italian Sausage Orzo – A One-Pot Hearty Meal
If you're in need of a satisfying, hearty meal that comes together quickly and only requires one pot, look no further than this Italian Sausage Orzo. It's loaded with flavorful Italian sausage, tender orzo, creamy Parmesan, and fresh spinach, all cooked to perfection in a rich broth. Whether you're feeding the family on a busy weeknight or just craving something warm and comforting, this dish is sure to hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Sausage Orzo
This dish is not only full of flavor but incredibly easy to make! The best part? It all cooks in one pot, meaning minimal cleanup. With the savory richness of Italian sausage and Parmesan combined with the creamy orzo and fresh spinach, every bite is hearty, comforting, and full of texture. It’s the kind of meal that feels like it’s been simmering for hours, but it's ready in just 30 minutes!
The Perfect One-Pot Dish for Busy Nights
One-pot meals are a lifesaver when life gets busy. This Italian Sausage Orzo delivers on both convenience and flavor. The combination of protein from the sausage, carbs from the orzo, and the nutrition from spinach makes it a well-balanced, hearty meal that will keep everyone satisfied. Plus, it's perfect for leftovers, so you can enjoy it the next day!
Ingredients Breakdown:
1 lb Ground Italian Sausage: This brings a lot of bold flavor to the dish with its blend of herbs and spices. You can use sweet or spicy sausage depending on your preference.
1 Yellow Onion, diced: Adds a slightly sweet and mild flavor that complements the savory sausage.
4-5 Cloves Garlic, minced: Garlic is a must for any Italian-inspired dish, adding depth and warmth.
½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper: Provides just the right amount of heat. You can adjust the amount to your liking if you prefer more or less spice.
1 tsp Garlic Powder & 1 tsp Onion Powder: These help intensify the savory flavors and balance out the dish.
Salt & Pepper to Taste: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the dish.
1 Cup Uncooked Orzo: This small, rice-shaped pasta is perfect for absorbing all the flavors in the pot and cooks quickly.
2 Cups Chicken Broth: Adds richness to the dish and helps cook the orzo. You can use low-sodium broth if you prefer more control over the salt level.
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream: Makes the sauce creamy and indulgent, giving the dish its luscious texture.
1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that ties the whole dish together. Always grate your own for the best texture and flavor.
3 Cups Fresh Baby Spinach: Adds a fresh, healthy element to the dish. It wilts down perfectly into the orzo without overpowering the flavors.
Directions:
Cook the Sausage: In a large pot, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium heat until it's mostly fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Break it up into small crumbles as it cooks.
Sauté the Onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the Orzo and Garlic: Stir in the uncooked orzo and minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This helps toast the orzo and enhances its flavor.
Add Broth and Cream: Stir in the chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Cook the Orzo: Let the orzo cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking. The orzo should absorb most of the liquid and become tender.
Add Spinach and Parmesan: Stir in the fresh spinach and grated Parmesan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a creamy, flavorful dish.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Italian Sausage Orzo hot and enjoy! Pair it with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal.
Tips for Success:
Adjust the Spice Level: If you love heat, feel free to add more crushed red pepper or use spicy Italian sausage. For a milder dish, reduce the amount or omit it entirely.
Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks. Stir often to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and add a splash of extra broth if it’s looking too dry.
Substitutions: Feel free to swap out the spinach for kale or Swiss chard, or use turkey sausage for a lighter option. You can also use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
Grate Your Own Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-grated versions.
Why You’ll Love This Dish:
Hearty and Filling: With sausage, orzo, and creamy sauce, this dish is perfect for a filling dinner that satisfies your cravings.
One-Pot Wonder: Minimal dishes to clean up means more time to relax after dinner.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight when you need a delicious meal on the table fast.
Family-Friendly: The flavors are rich and savory, but not overly spicy, making it a hit with both kids and adults.
Italian Sausage Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 4-5 Cloves Garlic, minced
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
- 1 Cup Uncooked Orzo
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan
- 3 Cups Fresh Baby Spinach
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large pot, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium heat until it's mostly fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Break it up into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Sauté the Onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Orzo and Garlic: Stir in the uncooked orzo and minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This helps toast the orzo and enhances its flavor.
- Add Broth and Cream: Stir in the chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Orzo: Let the orzo cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking. The orzo should absorb most of the liquid and become tender.
- Add Spinach and Parmesan: Stir in the fresh spinach and grated Parmesan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a creamy, flavorful dish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Italian Sausage Orzo hot and enjoy! Pair it with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
Tips for Success:
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you love heat, feel free to add more crushed red pepper or use spicy Italian sausage. For a milder dish, reduce the amount or omit it entirely.
- Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks. Stir often to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and add a splash of extra broth if it’s looking too dry.
- Substitutions: Feel free to swap out the spinach for kale or Swiss chard, or use turkey sausage for a lighter option. You can also use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Grate Your Own Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-grated versions.
Make It Tonight!
This Italian Sausage Orzo is the perfect solution when you need a comforting, satisfying meal in no time. Its rich flavors and creamy texture will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try tonight and see why it’s destined to become a new favorite!
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends or pin it for later!
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