Craving a delicious, satisfying meal that comes together in a flash with minimal cleanup? Look no further. This One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers. It combines savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce, all cooked together in a single skillet. In just about 30 minutes, you get a restaurant-quality dish that’s packed with flavor and sure to become a new family favorite. It’s the perfect solution for busy evenings when you want something impressive without the fuss.
We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure the orzo is perfectly cooked and the sauce is unbelievably creamy every single time. Get ready to fall in love with your new go-to comfort food.
Why This One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo is a Weeknight Winner
Let’s be honest, the best recipes are the ones that deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. This dish is the epitome of that philosophy.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze. Say goodbye to a sink full of pots and pans!
- Ready in 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this entire meal is on the table in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for hectic schedules.
- Packed with Flavor: The sausage renders its savory flavor into the entire dish, while garlic, herbs, and Parmesan create a rich, aromatic sauce that coats every piece of orzo.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a comforting and hearty meal that both kids and adults will adore. It’s as easy to love as this creamy Italian sausage pasta.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Sausage Orzo
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo.
Choosing Your Italian Sausage
The sausage is the star of the show. You can use mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference. Hot Italian sausage will give the dish a welcome kick of heat, while mild or sweet sausage will lend a classic savory flavor. For the best results, look for bulk sausage, but you can also easily remove the casings from sausage links.
The Creamy Trio: Broth, Cream, and Parmesan
To get that luxurious, creamy texture, a few key ingredients are essential. Chicken broth provides the primary cooking liquid for the orzo, allowing it to absorb tons of flavor. A splash of heavy cream at the end adds richness, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, making it velvety and delicious.
Orzo and Aromatics
Orzo, a small rice-shaped pasta, is perfect for one-pot meals because it cooks quickly and absorbs liquid beautifully. We’ll build a flavor base with classic aromatics like yellow onion and fresh garlic. A bit of tomato paste provides a deep, concentrated tomato flavor that forms the backbone of the sauce.
How to Make One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create a stunning one-pot meal.
- Brown the Sausage: Start by browning the Italian sausage in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once cooked through, remove it with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one more minute to deepen its flavor.
- Toast the Orzo: Add the dry orzo to the skillet and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes, toasting it lightly in the rendered fat. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the final dish.
- Simmer Everything Together: Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (undrained), and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with Creaminess: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked sausage, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. Continue to stir until the spinach has wilted and the cheese is completely melted into a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for the Best Creamy Orzo
Want to make sure your One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo is absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Orzo cooks quickly. Keep an eye on it and test it to ensure it’s al dente. It will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so it’s better to be slightly underdone than mushy.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the creamiest sauce, always grate your own Parmesan.
- Scrape the Bottom: As you cook the sausage and aromatics, browned bits (fond) will form on the bottom of the pan. When you add the broth, be sure to scrape these up—they are packed with flavor! For another easy one-pan meal, try our sheet pan sausage and sweet potatoes.
Easy Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to make it your own.
Add More Veggies
Feel free to toss in other vegetables. Diced bell peppers or mushrooms can be sautéed with the onions. You could also stir in sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers at the end for an extra flavor boost, similar to this Tuscan butter beans recipe.
Make It Spicy
If you love heat, use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for an extra kick.
Dairy-Free Option
To make this dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Use a high-quality vegan Parmesan cheese to finish the dish.
What to Serve with Italian Sausage Orzo
This one-pot dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette, like a fresh Caprese salad, is a perfect light accompaniment. For something heartier, serve it with a side of garlic bread or roasted broccoli.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, the orzo will have absorbed much of the liquid. Add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave to restore its creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! To make it dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or another dairy-free cream alternative. You can use a high-quality vegan Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast to achieve a cheesy, savory flavor.
The key is to cook it until it’s ‘al dente,’ meaning it still has a slight bite. The orzo will continue to absorb liquid and soften as it sits in the sauce, so avoid overcooking it during the simmering stage. Stirring occasionally also prevents it from sticking and cooking unevenly.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you reheat it, the orzo will have absorbed more of the sauce. Add a splash of chicken broth, water, or milk while reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave to restore its creamy consistency.
This is a wonderful one-pot meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, and a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
You can use mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage. Hot sausage will add a spicy kick, while mild or sweet will provide a classic savory flavor. Bulk sausage meat is easiest, but you can also remove the casings from links.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo (Creamy & Delicious!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook in the reserved sausage fat until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one more minute.
- Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and dried oregano. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. 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.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked sausage, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Fresh Parmesan: For the creamiest sauce, use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy.
Adjust Liquid: If the orzo absorbs all the liquid but isn't fully cooked, add another splash of broth and continue to simmer.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing One Pot Italian Sausage Orzo recipe! It’s a dish that proves simple ingredients and smart techniques can create something truly special. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how you liked it! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
