Italian Sausage Orzo
A creamy and comforting dish combining beef sausage, orzo pasta, and fresh spinach.
Equipment
- Soup pot or Dutch oven For cooking the dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces beef sausage
- 0.5 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 to taste Salt
- 1 to taste Pepper
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, add the beef sausage. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and the onions are softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release the flavors.
- Add the uncooked orzo pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
- Once the orzo is tender, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes, allowing the dish to thicken to your liking.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Notes
You can substitute the beef sausage with any other type of sausage you prefer. For a little extra kick, feel free to add more crushed red pepper flakes. If you want to add more vegetables, consider tossing in some diced bell peppers or mushrooms.