Description
Hearty italian sausage orzo brings comfort through its rich Mediterranean flavors. Zesty herbs and savory meat create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) Italian sausage
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy/whipping cream
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Sausage: Crumble Italian sausage into a hot soup pot, browning thoroughly to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
- Build Base: Introduce diced onions to the sizzling sausage, cooking until meat turns golden and onions become translucent and tender.
- Layer Aromatics: Quickly stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, then add orzo, toasting pasta briefly to enhance its nutty essence.
- Create Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth and cream into the pot, reducing heat to maintain a gentle simmer and stirring consistently to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Simmer uncovered for approximately 10 minutes, allowing orzo to absorb liquid and reach perfect al dente consistency while developing a creamy texture.
- Finish and Enhance: Remove from heat, fold in parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, covering pot to allow residual warmth to wilt greens and create a luxurious, velvety sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Let dish rest for 3-5 minutes to thicken sauce and marry flavors, then season with salt and pepper before serving immediately.
Notes
- Sizzle Sausage Perfectly: Brown the meat thoroughly to release maximum flavor and create a rich, caramelized base for the dish.
- Prevent Pasta Pitfalls: Stir orzo constantly during cooking to avoid sticking and ensure even, creamy texture throughout.
- Manage Moisture Masterfully: Keep liquid at a gentle simmer to help orzo absorb broth without becoming mushy or dry.
- Enhance Final Flourish: Let the dish rest briefly after cooking to allow flavors to blend and sauce to naturally thicken, creating a more cohesive and delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 671
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg