One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto
A creamy risotto cooked in one pot featuring savory Italian sausage and fresh spinach for a hearty, comforting meal. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs Italian sausage (casings removed), olive oil, yellow onion (finely chopped) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the grains.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and cook, stirring, until mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Begin adding 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and waiting until liquid is mostly absorbed before adding more. Continue this process for about 18-20 minutes until rice is creamy and al dente.
- Step 6: Stir in the cooked sausage, 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Risotto?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
