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Weeknight • Pork

Spicy Sausage and Broccolini Orzo Skillet

A zesty one-pan skillet meal with savory sausage, tender broccolini, and tiny orzo pasta.

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Spicy Sausage and Broccolini Orzo Skillet

Who says delicious and healthy can't be easy? This Spicy Sausage and Broccolini Orzo Skillet is a weeknight wonder that's packed with flavor, thanks to zesty sausage and vibrant broccolini, all cooked in one pan with orzo! It's quick to prepare and even quicker to clean up, making it a perfect fit for those busy evenings.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan.

  2. Step 2

    Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the orzo and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and orzo is nearly tender, stirring occasionally.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the chopped broccolini. Cover and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until broccolini is tender-crisp and orzo is fully cooked. If needed, add a splash more broth if it gets too dry.

  5. Step 5

    Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  6. Step 6

    Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Tips

  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
  • For a milder dish, use sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy.
  • If you don't have broccolini, regular broccoli florets or chopped kale would also work well.

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