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One-Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Spinach and Sausage

Close-up of creamy lemon orzo pasta mixed with wilted spinach and slices of browned sausage.
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Make this flavorful, comforting one-pot orzo pasta for a quick weeknight dinner. It combines tender orzo with chicken sausage, fresh spinach, bright lemon, and rich Parmesan cheese, minimizing cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast it, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until the edges look slightly golden.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well until the sauce is creamy.
  6. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the fresh spinach and stir until the spinach wilts completely, about 2 minutes.
  7. Season the creamy orzo pasta with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, skip the sausage and add 1 cup of chopped mushrooms with the onion.
  • If you prefer a tangier flavor, increase the lemon juice to 3 tablespoons.
  • This recipe works well as a side dish; reduce the broth to 3 cups if you want a firmer texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/creamy-lemon-parmesan-orzo-pasta/