One-Pan Sausage Orzo with Tomatoes and Spinach

This one-pan orzo dish is the ultimate weeknight dinner: everything cooks together in a single skillet, so cleanup is a breeze. The orzo is cooked risotto-style, absorbing just enough liquid to become tender and creamy without needing to be drained. With savory Italian chicken sausage, sweet grape tomatoes, fresh spinach and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, every bite is packed with bold, comforting flavor.

Best of all, the entire meal comes together in about 30 minutes. The panko breadcrumb topping gets golden and crispy under the broiler, adding a delightful crunch. Serve with lemon wedges for a bright finish. It’s a complete, satisfying dinner that feels special but is deceptively easy to make.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce SpinachView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce ParsleyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Italian Chicken SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.66 cup Orzo PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 tablespoon Italian SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the broiler to high. Mince the garlic. Finely chop the spinach until you have 1 very packed cup. Halve the lemon; cut one half into wedges for serving. Halve the grape tomatoes. Pick the parsley leaves from the stems and finely chop; discard the stems.
2. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large, tall-sided ovenproof pan over medium-high heat. Add the Italian chicken sausage, breaking it up into pieces. Cook until just browned, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the halved tomatoes and minced garlic to the pan with the sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to wilt, 2-3 minutes. Add the orzo and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, until the orzo is coated in the juices, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add 2 cups water, the chicken stock concentrate and a pinch of salt to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is almost al dente, 7-9 minutes. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes more. If the mixture seems dry, add water ¼ cup at a time until loose.
5. Stir in the mozzarella cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and additional lemon juice to taste. If your pan is not ovenproof, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Broil until the panko is golden brown, 1-3 minutes.
6. Divide the orzotto among plates. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top. Serve with the lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute orzo with other small pasta like ditalini or stelline, but cooking times may vary.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the sausage and use vegetable stock concentrate instead of chicken. You can add more vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.