One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage
Introduction
There are dinners that feed the body and dinners that feed the heart — this One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage is both. On a rainy Friday night, this skillet became my family’s happy place: savory chicken sausage sizzling, garlic and rosemary filling the air, tiny pearls of orzo glistening in a silky sauce. The first spoonful felt like a warm hug, and I knew I had a new quick dinner idea to cherish. If you love creamy orzo variations, you might also enjoy my cozy take on creamy chicken mushroom orzo, which leans into earthy mushrooms for an autumn twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe — One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage
- Comforting food that tastes like home but looks special enough for guests.
- An easy recipe: everything cooks in one pan, minimal cleanup.
- Quick dinner idea: ready faster than takeout on most weeknights.
- Family favorite: kids and adults both love the creamy texture and savory sausage.
- Healthy option: lean chicken sausage and veg keep it balanced without sacrificing indulgence.
- Versatile for festive meal menus or casual weeknights.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces orzo pasta – the little rice-shaped pasta soaks up sauce beautifully.
- 1 pound chicken sausage (sliced) – mild or spicy depending on your mood; lean and flavorful.
- 1 medium onion (finely diced) – adds sweetness and depth.
- 3 cloves garlic (minced) – aromatic and essential.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) – burst of brightness; optional in winter.
- 2 cups baby spinach – wilts into the sauce for color and nutrients.
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth – more flavor than water; adjust salt later.
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half – for creaminess; use dairy-free milk for a lighter version.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast – Parmesan for indulgent flavor; nutritional yeast adds cheesy notes without dairy.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – for sautéing.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika – warmth and depth.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
- Fresh parsley and lemon zest for garnish – optional but brightens everything.
Substitutions: Use turkey sausage or smoked tofu for a vegetarian-friendly swap. Swap orzo for small pasta like acini di pepe if needed. For a lighter dish, use all milk instead of half-and-half and reduce the cheese.
Timing
- Prep time: 10 minutes.
- Cook time: 20 minutes.
- Total time: 30 minutes.
This one-pan miracle is worth every minute and often beats delivery both in speed and satisfaction.
Step-by-Step Instructions: One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned, about 4 minutes, turning once so each piece caramelizes. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point.
- Push the sausage to the side and add the diced onion. Sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the orzo to the pan and toast it briefly with the aromatics for 1 minute — this step deepens the flavor and prevents mushiness.
- Pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine. Add oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If it looks dry, add a splash more broth.
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and Parmesan (or nutritional yeast) until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts, creating a creamy sauce that coats every pearl of pasta. Adjust seasoning.
- Finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra cheese at the table.
Tips and Variations
- Swap the chicken sausage for spicy Italian sausage for a bolder kick.
- Make it vegetarian: use smoked tofu or a plant-based sausage, vegetable broth, and nutritional yeast.
- For a festive meal, stir in a handful of toasted pine nuts and a splash of white wine before adding broth.
- Add roasted butternut or mushrooms for earthy depth. For a casserole-style variation, see this creamy French onion chicken orzo casserole at creamy French onion chicken orzo casserole.
- To make it gluten-free, use a GF orzo alternative or small rice-shaped pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Warm crusty bread or garlic-roasted broccoli pairs beautifully. For drinks, a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light lager complements the creamy texture and savory sausage. Picture scooping a warm bowl, steam fogging up the window, laughter around the table — simple moments elevated by good food.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The orzo will thicken as it cools.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or milk to revive the creaminess, stirring often.
- Freezing: Not ideal for long-term freezing because the texture changes, but you can freeze the sausage and sauce separately for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with fresh orzo.
- Make-ahead: Cook the sausage and sauce a day ahead, cool, and store. Cook the orzo fresh when ready to serve and fold everything together for best texture.
Pro Tips from the Kitchen
- Toast the orzo briefly in the pan — it adds a nutty, roasted flavor and helps prevent a gluey finish.
- Use low-sodium broth so you control salt levels, especially when adding Parmesan.
- Keep a splash of hot broth or milk handy to loosen the sauce while reheating.
- Finish with acid: a little lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon brightens creamy dishes instantly.
- Don’t overcook the orzo — check a minute or two before the package timing.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use unsweetened almond or oat milk and swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast. The result is still creamy and satisfying.
Q: Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
A: The assembled dish loses texture if frozen. Freeze sausage and sauce separately, then add freshly cooked orzo when reheating.
Q: Can I use different pasta?
A: Small pastas like small shells or acini di pepe work well. Just adjust cooking time according to package directions.
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: It depends on the sausage. Choose mild for family-friendly heat or spicy chicken sausage for a kick.
Conclusion
This One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage is more than a recipe — it’s a gentle ritual for busy nights and a showstopper for cozy gatherings. It balances comfort and convenience, giving you a family favorite that feels like a hug and a little celebration all at once. If you want more inspiration with similar flavors and techniques, check out this comforting Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet for a lighter take, or this helpful One Pan Chicken Sausage and Orzo guide for another delicious spin. Now grab a spoon, gather the people you love, and make this recipe part of your story.
One-Pan Creamy Orzo with Chicken Sausage
Ingredients
Pasta and Sausage Ingredients
- 12 ounces orzo pasta The little rice-shaped pasta soaks up sauce beautifully.
- 1 pound chicken sausage (sliced) Mild or spicy depending on your mood; lean and flavorful.
Vegetable Ingredients
- 1 medium onion (finely diced) Adds sweetness and depth.
- 3 cloves garlic (minced) Aromatic and essential.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) Burst of brightness; optional in winter.
- 2 cups baby spinach Wilts into the sauce for color and nutrients.
Liquid and Flavor Ingredients
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth More flavor than water; adjust salt later.
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half For creaminess; use dairy-free milk for a lighter version.
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast Parmesan for indulgent flavor; nutritional yeast adds cheesy notes without dairy.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano Adds warmth and depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Adds warmth and depth.
- to taste Salt and black pepper To taste.
Garnish (Optional)
- to taste Fresh parsley and lemon zest Brightens everything.
Instructions
Cooking the Sausage
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned, about 4 minutes, turning once so each piece caramelizes.
Sautéing the Aromatics
- Push the sausage to the side and add the diced onion.
- Sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Toasting the Orzo
- Add the orzo to the pan and toast it briefly with the aromatics for 1 minute — this step deepens the flavor and prevents mushiness.
Simmering
- Pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine.
- Add oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cooking the Orzo
- Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- If it looks dry, add a splash more broth.
Finishing Touches
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and Parmesan (or nutritional yeast) until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts, creating a creamy sauce that coats every pearl of pasta.
- Adjust seasoning.
- Finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest and chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately with extra cheese at the table.
Notes
Written by Salaheddine — founder of Tasty Sunrise, sharing easy and comforting homemade recipes for every occasion.
📩 admin@tastysunrise.com • Pinterest