If you're looking for a comforting, flavor-packed meal that comes together with minimal fuss, this one-pot orzo with Italian sausage, tomatoes, and spinach is about to become your new favorite weeknight meal. You can use fresh-from-the-garden ingredients when they’re in season or canned tomatoes and frozen spinach for convenience. Best of all? Everything cooks in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal. My goal with this recipe was to add a weeknight no-fuss one-pot meal to our menu, so it is written with several pantry/freezer ingredients to make it easy to have the ingredients on hand for last minute dinner plans.
Let's talk ingredients
Orzo- Orzo is a type of pasta shaped like a large grain of rice. In this recipe, the orzo is added to the pan with the browned sausage and garlic and it is then cooked in the pot with chicken broth, tomatoes, and cream, allowing it to absorb the flavors and results in a risotto-like meal for much less time and fuss. Please do not substitute rice in this recipe. It will not work. I typically use Barilla brand orzo.
Italian sausage links- Any type of Italian sausage will work in this recipe, but I prefer using chicken sausage. Most of the time I use Gilbert’s brand Caprese Italian Chicken Sausage.
Spinach- Fresh or frozen works well in this recipe, but most of the time I just use a package or frozen organic chopped spinach for convenience. If using fresh spinach, chop it and add halfway through the 15-minute cook time.
Tomatoes- I typically use a can of diced tomatoes that are seasoned with basil, garlic, and olive oil. However, I have used a pint of fresh grape tomatoes cut in half many times too. Use whichever you have available.
How to make this easy weeknight One-Pot Orzo with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
The beauty of this recipe is that it is all cooked in one pot, so the first thing you need to do is choose a pot. You’ll need one with a lid, and preferably nonstick if possible. If you have a very large skillet that would work too. I use a pan that is about 4-5 qt capacity with a glass lid. It’s my go-to everyday pan that I use for nearly everything. Link to pan: https://amzn.to/3SzWQnb
As for cooking this recipe, it’s very straightforward. Just be sure to add the ingredients in the correct order at the right time and you’ll be enjoying your dinner in no time.
First, slice the Italian sausage and brown it in the pan with some oil before adding the garlic and orzo, letting them toast a bit before adding the liquid ingredients and bring them to a simmer.
Once the liquid reaches a simmer, cover pot with the lid and set a timer for 15 minutes. Be sure to stir a few times during the cooking process to avoid the orzo from sticking to the bottom. Meanwhile, steam the frozen spinach according to the package instructions, or chop the fresh spinach. (If using fresh, add it to the pot halfway through the 15-minute cook time.)
Remove lid and stir in the spinach and parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
One Pot Orzo with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
If you're looking for a comforting, flavor-packed meal that comes together with minimal fuss, this one-pot orzo with Italian sausage, tomatoes, and spinach is about to become your new weeknight favorite. You can use fresh-from-the-garden ingredients when they’re in season—or canned tomatoes and frozen spinach for ultimate convenience. Best of all? Everything cooks in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Main course
Ingredients
1-2 tablespoons cooking oil
10-ounce package Italian chicken sausage, sliced (We like Gilbert’s brand Caprese Italian Chicken Sausage)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 ½ cups orzo, uncooked
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes (plain, or with basil, garlic, and olive oil)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
10-ounce package steamable frozen chopped spinach
1 ½ cups grated Parmesan
Instructions
Heat oil over medium heat in a large nonstick pan that has a lid.
Add sliced sausage and cook until browned.
Add minced garlic and uncooked orzo to the pan, stirring for a minute or so to toast the orzo.
Add chicken broth, cream, canned tomatoes (do not drain), garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Bring to a simmer then cover with lid, cooking for 15 minutes, stirring periodically. Meanwhile, prepare the steamed spinach according to the package instructions.
Remove lid from pot and stir in the spinach and Parmesan.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.
Keywords: one pot, orzo, italian sausage, spinach, tomatoes
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