Description
Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is a comforting, one-pan dinner featuring tender orzo pasta, savory chicken sausage, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious, cheesy cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Orzo
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
For the Chicken Sausage & Veggies
- 12 oz (about 4 links) cooked chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach (fresh)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
For the Cream Sauce
- 3/4 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for another 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Cook the Orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo. Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the Cream and Cheeses: Pour in half-and-half (or cream) and sprinkle in the Parmesan. Stir well until everything is melted and creamy. Add red pepper flakes if using. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Stir in Spinach and Finish: Gently fold in the baby spinach, stirring until wilted and well combined.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy orzo into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute turkey or pork sausage instead of chicken sausage if you like.
- Add extra vegetables such as peas, mushrooms, or zucchini for a boost of nutrition.
- For a lighter version, use whole milk instead of cream.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days—just add a splash of milk before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
