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Italian Sausage Orzo Recipe

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4.4 from 7 reviews

This Italian Sausage Orzo is a comforting and creamy one-pot dish featuring browned Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese simmered in a luscious mixture of chicken broth and heavy cream. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that’s rich in flavor and satisfying in texture.

Ingredients

Sausage and Aromatics

  • 16 ounces Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, or more to taste)

Orzo and Liquids

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Sausage: Add the Italian sausage meat to a large soup pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks until it starts to brown.
  2. Sauté Onions: Stir in the chopped onions and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned and the onions have softened.
  3. Add Garlic, Pepper Flakes, and Orzo: Mix in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook everything together for about 30 seconds to release the aromas.
  4. Simmer with Broth and Cream: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble over medium heat, then reduce to medium or medium-low to maintain a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender but not mushy and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
  5. Finish with Parmesan and Spinach: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and packed fresh spinach leaves. Cover the pot and let sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the dish to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Using Italian sausage with or without casings is fine; if using links, remove the casing before cooking.
  • Stir frequently during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Feel free to substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version, but the dish won’t be as rich.
  • If the mixture is too thick after resting, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it before serving.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute regular orzo with a gluten-free small pasta alternative.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/italian-sausage-orzo-recipe/