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Creamy Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Orzo Recipe

Creamy Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Orzo

Browned smoked sausage, tender orzo, spinach, cream, cheddar, and Parmesan come together in one skillet for a rich and comforting meal. This recipe makes 4 servings and is ready in about 30–35 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup Dry orzo
  • 2 1/2 cups Low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup Finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups Baby spinach, optional
Seasonings and Garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • to taste Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped parsley, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Transfer it to a plate if the skillet is crowded.
  2. Add the diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and smoked paprika and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the dry orzo and toast it for 1 minute, coating the grains with the sausage drippings and onion mixture.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Cook uncovered for 9–11 minutes, stirring frequently, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed. Reduce the heat if the liquid evaporates too quickly.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the heavy cream, cheddar, and Parmesan. Add the spinach, if using, and cook for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
  7. Return the browned sausage to the skillet and stir until heated through. Taste before adding salt, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Stir the orzo regularly while it simmers because it releases starch and can stick or absorb liquid unevenly. Remove the skillet from the heat before adding the cheese to help keep the sauce smooth. The orzo thickens as it stands, so loosen leftovers with a splash of broth or milk when reheating.