Name: Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo: A One-Pan Meal
Ingredients: 1 lb pre-cooked chicken sausage (I like the apple or garlic herb kinds, but use whatever flavor floats your boat); 2 Tbsp olive oil (or butter, or a mix of both because why choose?); 1 medium onion, diced (yellow or white, doesn’t matter); 3-4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re avoiding vampires); 1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked – this is important, folks); 2½ cups chicken broth (low sodium if you’re watching your salt); ½ cup white wine (something you’d actually drink, not that cooking wine garbage); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or grape tomatoes, or just chop up regular ones); 2 cups baby spinach (or a few handfuls – who actually measures greens?); ½ cup heavy cream (this is not diet food, embrace it); ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (always more for serving); 2 Tbsp fresh herbs (basil, parsley, thyme – whatever you’ve got); Salt and pepper to taste (be generous); Red pepper flakes (optional, for those who like a little kick)

Description

So I discovered this recipe by accident one night when I had a package of chicken sausage that was about to expire, a box of orzo that had been sitting in my pantry forever, and zero desire to wash more than one pan. The result? This creamy, dreamy one-pan wonder that’s become my go-to when I need something that feels fancy but requires minimal effort. It’s basically comfort food that thinks it’s all sophisticated and whatnot. The orzo gets all creamy from cooking right in the broth (risotto-style but WAY less stirring), and the chicken sausage adds tons of flavor without much work. Honestly, it’s pretty much impossible to mess up.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb pre-cooked chicken sausage (I like the apple or garlic herb kinds, but use whatever flavor floats your boat)
2 Tbsp olive oil (or butter, or a mix of both because why choose?)
1 medium onion, diced (yellow or white, doesn’t matter)
3–4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re avoiding vampires)
1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked – this is important, folks)
2½ cups chicken broth (low sodium if you’re watching your salt)
½ cup white wine (something you’d actually drink, not that cooking wine garbage)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or grape tomatoes, or just chop up regular ones)
2 cups baby spinach (or a few handfuls – who actually measures greens?)
½ cup heavy cream (this is not diet food, embrace it)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (always more for serving)
2 Tbsp fresh herbs (basil, parsley, thyme – whatever you’ve got)
Salt and pepper to taste (be generous)
Red pepper flakes (optional, for those who like a little kick)