Spicy Sausage Orzo Skillet (Printable version)

Bold sausage, orzo, and fresh veggies simmer together for a vibrant, satisfying one-pan meal in just 35 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage, casing removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 cups fresh spinach

→ Pasta & Broth

07 - 1 cup orzo pasta
08 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Spices & Oils

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until deeply browned, about 5 minutes.
02 - Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add orzo pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat with the sausage and vegetable mixture, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Uncover the skillet and stir in the cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tomatoes are just softened.
07 - Remove pan from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan and adjust salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This one-pan meal saves you so much cleanup time, you’ll feel like you’ve cheated the system.
  • The combo of juicy sausage and tender orzo makes it impossible to stop at just one serving.
02 -
  • If you rush through the simmering step and skip stirring, the orzo will stubbornly stick and scorch—trust me, it’s worth the patience.
  • Waiting until the very end for spinach and tomatoes keeps their color bright and their texture just right.
03 -
  • Letting the sausage brown fully builds deep flavor you can’t get any other way.
  • The trickiest bit is timing—if the broth evaporates too quickly, add a splash more to keep things luscious, not dry.
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