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Italian Sausage Orzo

Creamy Italian Sausage Orzo: Your New Favorite One-Pot Meal

This Creamy Italian Sausage Orzo is a quick and comforting one-pot meal, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 pound Italian sausage Mild or spicy varieties can be used
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped; shallots or leeks make great substitutes
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced; use fresh cloves for best results
For the Heat
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes Adjust based on heat preference
For the Pasta
  • 1 cup Uncooked orzo pasta Can be swapped for other small pasta shapes
For the Creaminess
  • 2 cups Chicken broth Vegetable broth is a great substitute
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Can swap for half-and-half or evaporated milk
For the Finishing Touch
  • 1/2 cup Freshly grated parmesan Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a vegan option
  • 2 cups Fresh baby spinach Kale or Swiss chard can be used as alternatives

Equipment

  • Soup pot or Dutch oven

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the pot over medium-high heat and add crumbled Italian sausage, cooking for about 5 minutes until browned.
  2. Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté for an additional 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add uncooked orzo pasta, stirring to combine. Pour in chicken broth and cream, and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove from heat and fold in freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach, stirring until melted and wilted.
  7. Cover the pot for 3-5 minutes to let the dish settle and thicken before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Stir frequently to prevent sticking, and adjust consistency with additional broth or cream if necessary.

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