Description
Sausage & Spinach Orzo Delight brings Italian-inspired comfort to dinner tables with its hearty blend of savory sausage and tender greens. Creamy orzo pasta mingles with spicy Italian sausage and nutrient-packed spinach, offering you a satisfying meal that delivers robust flavors in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) Italian sausage
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup (180 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
Aromatic and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy/whipping cream
- ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high temperature and crumble Italian sausage into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions into the sausage and continue sautéing for an additional 5 minutes until the meat achieves a rich golden-brown color and onions become translucent.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and orzo pasta into the mixture, stirring quickly to distribute flavors and allow garlic to release its aromatic essence for about 30 seconds.
- Carefully pour chicken broth (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) and heavy cream (/ 120 milliliters) into the pot, allowing the liquid to bubble gently after reducing heat to medium-low.
- Simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes, consistently stirring to prevent orzo from adhering to the bottom of the pot and ensuring even cooking of the pasta.
- Remove the pot from heat and fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese (/ 50 grams) and fresh spinach leaves, covering the pot to allow residual heat to wilt the greens.
- Let the dish rest for 3-5 minutes until spinach completely wilts and sauce reaches desired consistency, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Boost flavor by breaking sausage into small, crispy pieces while cooking for better texture and even distribution.
- Use fresh garlic for a more vibrant and aromatic base that elevates the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Stir orzo frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure creamy, evenly cooked pasta.
- Allow spinach to gently wilt off the heat for the best color, texture, and nutrient preservation.
- Choose a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
- Consider adding a splash of white wine with the broth for an extra layer of sophisticated flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg