Description
A quick and comforting one-pan dinner featuring creamy orzo, savory sausage, and tender broccoli. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200g) orzo pasta
- 8 oz (225g) Italian sausage
- 2 cups (150g) broccoli florets
- 2 ½ cups (600ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Cook until golden brown, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the minced garlic and cook it in the sausage drippings for about a minute, just until fragrant.
- Pour the orzo into the skillet and stir to coat it in the garlic and oil. Add the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Stir occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Steam or blanch the broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water. Cover and microwave for 4-5 minutes until tender but still bright green.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Let it meld together for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the orzo.
- Add the cooked sausage and steamed broccoli back into the skillet. Stir everything well to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
[‘Steaming the broccoli separately keeps it tender-crisp and bright green.’, ‘Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and flavor.’, ‘Stir the orzo often to prevent sticking.’, ‘Customize the creaminess by using half-and-half for a lighter sauce or adding more cheese for extra richness.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: Creamy Orzo, Sausage and Broccoli, One-Pan Dinner, Quick Dinner, Comfort Food, Easy Recipe