Weeknight • Pasta
Hearty Sausage and Spinach Orzo
A comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring savory sausage, wilted spinach, and creamy orzo.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When you need a warm, fulfilling meal that doesn't require a stack of dirty dishes, reach for this Hearty Sausage and Spinach Orzo! It's a comforting one-pot wonder where everything cooks together in one skillet, absorbing all the delicious flavors. This dish is rich, savory, and perfectly balanced with fresh spinach.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease and set sausage aside.
Step 2
Add chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken (or vegetable) broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the orzo pasta.
Step 4
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 5
Stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt before adding more. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until all spinach is wilted.
Step 6
Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips
- For a creamier finish, a dollop of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream can be stirred in at the end.
- Feel free to swap spinach for kale, just add it a few minutes earlier to allow it to tenderize.
- Serve with a crusty bread for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
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