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A close-up overhead shot of a rustic bowl filled with creamy orzo with sausage and spinach, showing the texture of the dish.

Chicken Sausage Orzo: A Creamy, One-Pan Wonder

This Chicken Sausage Orzo is the ultimate one-pan weeknight dinner! Savory sausage, tender orzo, fresh spinach, and parmesan combine in a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a flavorful and easy meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 12 oz Cooked Italian Chicken Sausage sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 small Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 cup Orzo uncooked
  • 15 oz Crushed Tomatoes one can
  • 2.5 cups Chicken Broth low-sodium
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving
  • 3 cups Fresh Spinach loosely packed
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to toast the pasta lightly.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and the cooked sausage. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it has just wilted into the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Browning Tip: Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the sausage. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure a good sear.
Creaminess: For an even creamier sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.