Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring savory Italian sausage and tender orzo pasta in a rich sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the orzo pasta.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot.
- Add chopped bell peppers or spinach for extra vegetables.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for desired heat level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Italian sausage, orzo, skillet, one-pan meal, holiday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, comfort food, pasta