Are you on the hunt for the ultimate one-pot weeknight wonder? A complete, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner that comes together in a single pot with the easiest cleanup imaginable? This amazing, from-scratch-tasting Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo is that perfect meal. We’re talking savory, browned chicken sausage, tender broccoli, and tiny, rice-shaped pasta, all simmered together in a luscious, cheesy, and garlicky sauce that the whole family will love.
This isn’t just another pasta recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite weeknight hero. We’ll show you the simple but brilliant secret to the “one-pot” method, which creates its own unbelievably creamy sauce without a single drop of heavy cream. This is a satisfying, all-in-one meal that is perfect for busy nights when you’re craving something special without the fuss.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate One-Pot Weeknight Wonder
What makes this Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, creamy texture and its savory, balanced flavor, all achieved in a single pot. This recipe is a masterpiece of efficiency. The dish features savory, browned chicken sausage, tender-crisp broccoli florets, and tiny, rice-shaped orzo pasta. The true magic, however, is in the cooking method. The uncooked orzo is simmered directly in the chicken broth along with the other ingredients. As the orzo cooks, it releases its natural starches, which is the secret that magically thickens the broth into a luscious, velvety, and surprisingly creamy sauce that is finished with a salty kick of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4-6 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Easy One-Pot Meal
This iconic dish uses a handful of smart shortcuts and high-quality ingredients to create its signature comforting and cheesy flavor.
- The One-Pot Pasta (Orzo!):
- What is Orzo?: Orzo is a type of small, pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. Its small size and quick cooking time make it the absolute perfect pasta for a one-pot dish like this one.
- The One-Pot Method: This is the brilliant secret to a naturally creamy sauce! By cooking the dry orzo directly in the broth, you are allowing all of its starches to be released into the liquid. These starches are a natural thickener that creates a beautiful, velvety sauce that clings to every piece of pasta, sausage, and broccoli.
- The Protein:
- Pre-cooked Chicken Sausage: Using a package of your favorite brand of fully-cooked chicken sausage is a fantastic shortcut that makes this a super-fast and easy meal. It’s a flavorful, lean protein that just needs a quick sear in the pan to become beautifully browned and delicious. An Italian-style or a simple garlic-and-herb sausage is a fantastic choice.
- The Vegetables: A generous amount of fresh broccoli florets adds a beautiful, vibrant green color, a healthy dose of nutrients, and a wonderful, tender-crisp texture.
Step-by-Step to the Best One-Pot Orzo
This delicious, one-pan meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Sauté the Sausage and Aromatics
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil over a medium heat. Add your 1 pound of sliced chicken sausage and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until it is nicely browned on both sides.
Add the 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until it is very fragrant.
Part 2: The One-Pot Simmer
Step 1: Stir in your 2 cups of broccoli florets and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until they just start to soften and turn a vibrant green color.
Step 2: Add your 2 cups of uncooked orzo pasta, the 4 cups of chicken broth, the 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to the pot.
Step 3: Bring the entire mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Step 4: Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring it occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the delicious, flavorful liquid.
Part 3: Make it Creamy and Serve
Step 1: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted into the pasta and the sauce is well combined and creamy.
Pro Tip: It is a great idea to stir in your cheese off the heat. This is the secret that prevents the cheese from becoming stringy or clumpy and ensures it melts into a perfectly smooth and velvety sauce.
Serve the hot, creamy orzo immediately in warm, shallow bowls, and garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Creamy One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo
A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring orzo pasta, chicken sausage, and broccoli. This simple weeknight dinner is made entirely in a single large pot. Sliced, pre-cooked chicken sausage is browned with garlic, then combined with broccoli florets. Uncooked orzo is added directly to the pot along with chicken broth and seasonings, and everything is simmered together until the orzo is tender and has absorbed the liquid, creating a creamy sauce. The dish is finished with a stir of grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh parsley.
Ingredients
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the broccoli florets and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Add the uncooked orzo, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is melted and well combined.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- This is a true one-pot meal, which makes for very easy cleanup on a busy weeknight.
- The orzo is cooked directly in the broth with the other ingredients, which allows it to absorb all the flavors and helps create a creamy sauce from its starches.
- Using pre-cooked chicken sausage is a key time-saving shortcut for this recipe.
What to Serve With Your One-Pot Orzo
This beautiful and rich dish is a fantastic, all-in-one meal that has your protein, your starch, and your vegetable all in one pot! If you’d like to round it out, here are a few simple suggestions:
- Crusty Bread: A side of warm, crusty garlic bread is an absolute must-have for sopping up every last drop of that incredible, creamy and cheesy sauce.
- A Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad, especially one with a bright and zesty lemon or a simple balsamic vinaigrette, is the perfect, fresh counterpoint to the rich, savory pasta.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can get a head start by slicing your sausage and chopping your broccoli and garlic up to a day in advance.
- Storage: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat this dish is in a skillet on the stovetop over a low heat. Because the orzo will have absorbed much of the sauce as it sits, you will need to add a generous splash of broth, water, or milk to loosen the sauce and bring back its original, creamy consistency.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Add a Bright, Lemony Kick: For a fantastic, fresh, and zesty finish, you can stir in the juice and the zest of one fresh lemon at the very end of the cooking time, along with the Parmesan cheese.
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken sausage, this delicious and versatile recipe is also absolutely fantastic with about 1 pound of browned and crumbled sweet or spicy Italian sausage, or even some sautéed shrimp that have been stirred in at the very end.
- Add Some Different Vegetables: This is a great “clean out the fridge” meal! Feel free to substitute the broccoli with an equal amount of your other favorite, quick-cooking vegetables, like some chopped asparagus, a cup of thawed, frozen sweet peas, or a few large handfuls of fresh baby spinach that has been wilted in at the very end.
Enjoy Your Ultimate One-Pot Weeknight Wonder!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This classic Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch-tasting meal to be both incredibly fast and wonderfully comforting. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, warm, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves an easy and impressive meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a naturally creamy one-pot pasta without any cream?
The secret is the starch from the pasta! By cooking the dry orzo directly in the broth, you are allowing all of its wonderful, natural starches to be released directly into the cooking liquid. These starches are a brilliant, natural thickener that transforms the simple broth into an incredibly creamy, luscious, and velvety sauce that clings beautifully to every single noodle.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
This dish is at its absolute creamiest and best when it is served fresh from the pot. However, you can save a ton of time by preparing all your ingredients ahead of time (slicing the sausage and chopping your vegetables), which will make the final cooking process a true, 15-minute meal.
Q3: What is orzo?
Orzo is a type of small, pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. It is a very popular pasta shape in Italian and Greek cuisine. Its small size and quick cooking time make it the absolute perfect pasta for a one-pot dish like this one, as well as for pasta salads and soups.
Q4: Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, absolutely! Simply use the “Sauté” function to brown your sausage and cook your garlic and broccoli. Then, add your broth and your uncooked orzo, secure the lid, and pressure cook on High for 5 minutes. Perform a quick release, and then stir in your Parmesan cheese at the end.
Q5: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, simply be sure to use your favorite brand of a gluten-free orzo pasta and a brand of chicken sausage that is certified gluten-free.