Description
One-pan creamy chicken sausage orzo with spinach and Parmesan—easy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
12 oz (≈ 340 g) fully cooked chicken-sausage links, sliced into ¼-inch coins
1 small yellow onion, finely diced (≈ 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups (≈ 285 g) dry orzo pasta
3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
3 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, roughly chopped (≈ 90 g)
½ cup (45 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
½ tsp kosher salt, to taste
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Brown Sausage – Warm olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add sausage coins; cook 3 min per side until golden.
Sauté Aromatics – Stir in diced onion; cook 2–3 min until softened. Add minced garlic; sauté 30 sec until fragrant.
Toast Orzo – Pour in dry orzo; toss 1 min to coat each grain with the flavorful oil.
Simmer – Add chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat. Cook 8–9 min, stirring occasionally, until orzo is almost al dente.
Cream & Season – Stir in cream, salt, and plenty of black pepper. Simmer 2–3 min until sauce thickens and orzo is creamy.
Finish – Fold in spinach until wilted, then mix in Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot straight from the pan.
Notes
Protein swap: Turkey or plant-based sausage work beautifully.
Veggie boost: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or frozen peas with the spinach.
Brighten it up: A squeeze of lemon at the end balances the richness.
Add heat: Use hot Italian chicken sausage and a pinch of red-pepper flakes.
Reheat tips: Loosen leftovers with a splash of broth or milk while warming.
Dairy-free: Substitute full-fat coconut milk for cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: One-Pan / Skillet
- Cuisine: Modern American (Italian-inspired)
