Creamy Sausage, Corn, and Spinach Orzo

Name: Creamy Sausage, Corn, and Spinach Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sausage; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup orzo pasta; 3 cups chicken broth; 1 cup frozen corn kernels; 3 cups fresh baby spinach; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup heavy cream; Salt and black pepper to taste

A cozy one pot dinner that brings together savory sausage, sweet corn, and fresh spinach in a silky Parmesan sauce.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· August 4, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

This orzo dish is one of my favorite meals to whip up when I want something comforting but don't want to spend all night cleaning up the kitchen. It is creamy, hearty, and comes together in just one pan.

My biggest tip for this recipe is to make sure you brown the sausage well before adding the other ingredients. That little bit of caramelization on the meat adds so much flavor to the final sauce. It is a true crowd pleaser that feels like a big hug in a bowl.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn kernels
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium high heat.
2
Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with your spoon as you go.
3
Stir in the diced onion and cook for a few minutes until it starts to soften.
4
Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until it smells fragrant.
5
Pour in the orzo and chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
6
Turn the heat down to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
7
Stir in the frozen corn and fresh spinach, cooking for another two minutes until the spinach has wilted.
8
Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and heavy cream until everything is creamy.
9
Season with salt and pepper to your liking and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If the pasta absorbs too much liquid while sitting, add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it to bring back that creamy texture.

#one pot #easy dinner #pasta #comfort food

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