Best Orzo Dinner Recipe
A comforting one-pan meal with hearty sausage, tender broccoli, and creamy orzo pasta that's quick and family-approved.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz smoked beef sausage or chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half) for creaminess
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and broccoli, cooking 2–3 minutes.
- Add orzo to the skillet and stir for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Pour in chicken broth, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and orzo is creamy.
- Return sausage to the skillet, stir well, and heat through.
- Garnish with parsley or basil and serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter option, swap heavy cream with milk. You can also use spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers instead of broccoli. This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days; add a splash of broth when reheating. For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes.