Cozy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo (Cozy Winter Recipe!)
This One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo is the ultimate shortcut to a luxurious winter dinner. By simmering orzo directly in a savory broth, you achieve a velvety, risotto-like texture in just thirty minutes without the constant stirring. The dish is packed with spicy Italian sausage, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, all finished with a…
This One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo is the ultimate shortcut to a luxurious winter dinner. By simmering orzo directly in a savory broth, you achieve a velvety, risotto-like texture in just thirty minutes without the constant stirring. The dish is packed with spicy Italian sausage, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, all finished with a rich swirl of cream and salty Parmesan. It is a soul-warming, gourmet meal that requires only a single pot and minimal cleanup.
The secret to this recipe is how the pasta starches create a naturally thickened sauce that perfectly coats the savory sausage. It is a sophisticated, protein-packed dinner that feels like a warm hug in a bowl while remaining incredibly simple to prepare. This dish is destined to become a permanent favorite for anyone who wants high-quality comfort food on a busy weeknight. Without a doubt, it is the most efficient way to bring a touch of elegance to your winter table.
Why This Creamy Orzo is the Perfect Cozy Meal
You are going to be completely obsessed with how much incredible, restaurant-quality flavor you can get from this simple, one-pot dish. It’s a true winter warmer. Here’s why:
- A 30-Minute, One-Pot Wonder: This entire, hearty meal comes together in a single pot in just 30 minutes, which means incredible flavor with minimal cleanup. It’s a weeknight dream!
- Incredibly Creamy, “Risotto-Like” Texture: By cooking the orzo directly in the broth, its starches release and create a naturally creamy, luscious sauce without a ton of heavy cream.
- Packed with Bold, Savory Flavors: The combination of spicy Italian sausage, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and salty Parmesan creates a deep, satisfying flavor profile that is absolutely addictive.
- A Complete, Hearty Meal: With protein, carbs, and vegetables all cooked together, this is a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying dinner that needs no side dishes.
- Elegant Enough for Company, Easy Enough for a Weeknight: This dish looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated, making it perfect for a last-minute dinner party, but it’s simple enough for any busy evening.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings | 6 servings |
| Calories | 630 kcal per serving |
| Course | Main Course, Dinner |
| Cuisine | Italian-Inspired, American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / One-Pot, Stovetop |
Your Shopping List for This Creamy, Cozy Dish
This impressive dinner comes together with a beautiful array of wholesome and powerful pantry staples.
→ For the Orzo
- ¾ pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage → Removed from the casing. The spice adds a wonderful warmth. Mild sausage also works!
- 1 shallot & 2 cloves garlic → The delicate, aromatic foundation of our sauce.
- 1 teaspoon each dried oregano & dried thyme → Classic herbs that pair beautifully with the Italian flavors.
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes → Chopped. Using the oil-packed kind adds extra richness and flavor.
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth → The flavorful liquid our orzo will cook in.
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard → A secret weapon for adding a sharp, tangy depth to the sauce.
- 1 pound dry orzo pasta → The tiny, rice-shaped pasta that makes this dish so unique.
- 2 small zucchini → Shredded, it melts into the sauce, adding nutrients and moisture.
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach → For a final touch of vibrant green and fresh flavor.
- ½ cup canned coconut milk or heavy cream → For the final, luscious, creamy finish.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese → Freshly grated is best for a salty, nutty flavor and perfect melt.
- Fresh basil → For a beautiful and aromatic final garnish.
Let’s Get Cooking! Your One-Pot Guide
Ready for the coziest, creamiest pasta of your life? Grab your favorite Dutch oven and let’s go!
Part 1: Build the Flavor Base
- Brown the Sausage and Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven set over medium heat, brown the chicken sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, for about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the chopped shallots, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until the shallots are soft and everything is incredibly fragrant.
- Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes to soften them and release their flavor into the pan.
Part 2: The One-Pot Pasta Magic
- Create the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and add the Dijon mustard. Use your spoon to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta and the shredded zucchini to the boiling broth. Cook, stirring often, for about 6-8 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid. The frequent stirring helps release the pasta’s starches, creating a naturally creamy sauce.
Part 3: The Final Creamy Finish
- Add the Greens and Cream: Stir in the fresh baby spinach until it has wilted. Pour in the coconut milk or heavy cream and sprinkle over the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Stir Until Creamy: Continue to stir everything together until the cheese has melted and the sauce is wonderfully creamy and luscious. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy orzo immediately in warm bowls, topped with a generous amount of fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!
One-Pot Creamy Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomato and Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the chicken sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, for about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add the shallots, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and add the Dijon mustard, scraping up any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the orzo and shredded zucchini. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 6-8 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach until it wilts. Pour in the coconut milk (or heavy cream) and sprinkle over the parmesan cheese.
- Stir until the sauce is creamy, then remove from the heat. Serve immediately, topped with fresh basil.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect One-Pot Orzo
These simple secrets will ensure your one-pot meal is a flawless, flavorful triumph.
- Stir the Orzo Frequently! This is the most important tip for this recipe. As the orzo cooks in the broth, stirring it often (like you would a risotto) helps to release its starches, which is the secret to creating that incredibly creamy sauce without a ton of extra dairy.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Brown the Sausage. Getting a good, deep brown on the sausage and shallots at the beginning builds a huge foundation of savory, caramelized flavor (the Maillard reaction!) that infuses the entire dish.
- Use Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes. The kind that comes in a jar of oil is far more flavorful and tender than the dry-packed kind. You can even add a spoonful of the flavorful oil to the pan for an extra flavor boost!
- Grate Your Own Parmesan. For the creamiest, most perfectly melted sauce, always grate your Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can give your sauce a grainy texture.
- Add the Cream and Spinach Off the Heat. For the best results, you can remove the pot from the direct heat before you stir in the final ingredients. This prevents the cream from potentially splitting and keeps the spinach a beautiful, vibrant green.
Keep It Cozy! Storing and Reheating
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for a comforting and easy lunch.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, store the orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce, so it will be much thicker when cold.
- Reheating: Gently reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You will need to add a generous splash of chicken broth, milk, or water to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency as it warms up. Stir frequently until heated through.
FAQs: Your Creamy Orzo Questions, Answered!
Can I use a different kind of sausage?
Yes, absolutely! Mild Italian chicken sausage, regular pork sausage, or even a spicy chorizo would all be delicious in this dish.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Easily! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the sausage (you can add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with the orzo for protein) and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
While orzo is key to the “risotto-like” texture, you could substitute it with another small pasta shape like ditalini or even broken spaghetti pieces. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
Is this recipe spicy?
The heat level will depend on whether you use spicy or mild Italian sausage. The recipe itself is not inherently spicy otherwise, making it very family-friendly.
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate 30-Minute Comfort Meal
There is nothing more satisfying than creating a meal that tastes incredibly gourmet and complex, but was secretly a 30-minute, one-pot affair. This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo is the perfect embodiment of smart, flavorful, and comforting weeknight cooking. It’s a dish that will warm you from the inside out and impress anyone you serve it to. I hope it becomes a new favorite in your home. Happy Cooking!
