Name: One Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo: Easy Recipe for Busy Weeknights
Prep time: PT-490549H20M41S
Cook time: PT-490549H20M41S
Total time: PT-490549H20M41S
Yield: undefined
Cuisine: General
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound chicken sausage (casings removed); 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1½ cups dry orzo pasta; 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Description

Indulge in a flavorful and satisfying meal with this easy one pot chicken sausage orzo recipe. Discover a solution for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound chicken sausage (casings removed)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1½ cups dry orzo pasta
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Step 2: Add Aromatics

Step 3: Incorporate Vegetables

Step 4: Add Orzo and Seasonings

Step 5: Add Broth and Simmer

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Ingredients

Notes

Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the chicken sausage with plant-based alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil for richness.
Is orzo pasta or rice?
Despite its rice-like appearance, orzo is actually a small pasta shape made from wheat flour. This explains why it cooks more quickly than rice (typically in 8-10 minutes).
Can I use different vegetables based on what’s in season?
Yes! This recipe is extremely adaptable. Try summer squash and eggplant in summer, or butternut squash and kale in fall. Just adjust cooking times according to vegetable density.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Substitute the orzo with gluten-free orzo, quinoa, or rice. If using rice, you may need to increase the cooking time and liquid by approximately 15 minutes and 1 cup respectively.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Sauté the ingredients using the Sauté function, then add remaining ingredients and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes with a quick release. This reduces total cooking time by approximately 15 minutes.

Prep Time: undefined
Cook Time: undefined
Category: FAQ
Method: Reference
Cuisine: General

Keywords: recipe FAQ, cooking tips, recipe modifications, cooking methods, dietary alternatives