Weeknight • Pasta
Hearty Sausage and Broccoli Orzo
This comforting and complete meal comes together in one pot for easy cleanup.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Forget multiple pots and pans! This Hearty Sausage and Broccoli Orzo is a true one-pot wonder, delivering a comforting and incredibly flavorful meal with minimal fuss. It's packed with savory sausage, tender broccoli, and toothsome orzo, all in a creamy, garlicky sauce that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 head broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat and set sausage aside.
Step 2
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Add the orzo pasta to the pot and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast it.
Step 4
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cooked sausage and broccoli florets. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 5
Remove from heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. If the orzo is too thick, add a splash of extra broth or water.
Step 6
Serve immediately, with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips
- Feel free to swap broccoli for spinach or kale. If using spinach, stir it in during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- For a touch of creaminess, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese or heavy cream at the end.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the amount of liquid – different orzo brands can absorb liquid differently.
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