One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Orzo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A hearty one-pot meal combining savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach in a fragrant tomato broth. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage (casings removed), extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup dry white wine and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wine reduces slightly.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 cups chicken broth, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup orzo pasta, stirring well. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Remove the lid, stir in 4 cups fresh spinach leaves, and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts.
7. Step 7: Turn off heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Serve warm.