Description
A comforting, creamy one-pan meal combining savory chicken sausage, tender orzo pasta, and a luscious sauce that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, to toast the orzo lightly.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
Swap chicken sausage for spicy Italian sausage for more heat.
Add sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or zucchini for extra flavor and veggies.
Use quinoa or gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of broth or water to keep sauce creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
