Description
A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender orzo pasta cloaked in garlic butter and savory browned sausage, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes for spice
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add uncooked orzo to the skillet and toss for 1–2 minutes in the garlic butter.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stir in the cooked sausage, Parmesan cheese, and spinach (if using); stir until creamy and wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning; garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
For best results, ensure toasting the orzo to maintain texture and prevent it from becoming mushy. This dish can be made ahead and reheated easily.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: one-pot, garlic butter, sausage, orzo, quick meal