Got 20 minutes? You can whip up this One Pot Chicken Sausage and Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta Recipe! It's super easy, packed with veggies, and comes together in just one pot-less mess, more flavor. The mix of butternut squash, sage, and savory chicken sausage is the perfect combo for a hearty meal, especially on those busy nights when you need something quick and tasty.
Like all our hearty one pan dinners, cleanup is a total breeze! Nothing beats spending less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal!
One pot pastas have become a bit of a specialty around here. We've nailed the trick of throwing pasta in a skillet with some other goodies and cooking up a delicious, tender dinner-all without the fuss of boiling noodles or dealing with extra dishes.
This fall-inspired orzo is great any time of year, but we think you'll really love it because:
- Super Easy: With pre-minced garlic and pre-cubed butternut squash, you only need 5 minutes to prep this recipe.
- Crazy Delicious: The flavors are seriously tempting-sage and parmesan cheese make the savory sauce even better.
- Hearty: It's loaded with protein and veggies, so it's super satisfying!
This Easy Chicken Pesto Orzo Recipe is another example of how delicious and versatile orzo can be.
Skip to:
Chicken sausage orzo ingredients
This recipe requires a handful of ingredients. Here are a few noteworthy tips with full amounts listed in the recipe card.
- Chicken Sausage: We're fans of Aidells and Trader Joe's chicken sausages, but any brand you like with a good flavor will work just fine.
- Orzo Pasta: This dish cooks up super fast because orzo is small and cooks quickly, kind of like rice.
- Butternut Squash: You can chop your own, but for busy nights, go for precubed squash from the produce section or even frozen cubes.
- Heavy Cream: Added at the end to give the dish a creamy touch.
- Chicken Stock: The pasta cooks in this, which is key for great flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: We love grating our own cheese, but pre-grated works too.
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic get sautéed to add depth to the flavor.
- Sage: Fresh sage makes a big difference in the final taste.
- Spinach: Tossing in some greens adds nutrition and a tasty touch.
- Butter: We use salted butter, but olive oil is a great substitute if you prefer.
Helpful tools for making...
Extra Large Electric SkilletMicroplane GraterWooden SpoonsApronOrzo Pasta
How to make one pot chicken sausage and butternut squash orzo
Here's a pro tip for one-pot pastas: have everything prepped and ready before you start! This recipe moves fast, so being prepared makes things way easier.
To a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add in the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes or until it is tender.
Once it is tender, add in the minced garlic and stirring constantly.
Add in the sliced chicken sausage, diced butternut squash, orzo pasta, and sage.
Stir gently to combine.
Once the ingredients are evenly mixed, pour in the hot chicken broth and give one more stir.
Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. You are looking for the pasta and the squash to be tender.
If they aren't quite tender and the pan has dried out, add a splash or two of water. Once tender, remove from heat.
Off the heat, pour in the heavy cream, add the spinach, and sprinkle in the cheese. Stir until it is all combined.
Serve warm with extra grated cheese if desired.
We find that this recipe had enough salt with adding extra, but at this point you can add some if you prefer.
Hint: Before prepping the rest of the ingredients, microwave the chicken stock until hot (3-5 minutes) to cut down on cooking time. While it's heating, proceed with the recipe.
Substitutions
- Instead of chicken sausage, try rotisserre chicken or even leftover shredded chicken.
- In place of butternut squash, give sweet potatoes a try.
- Fresh thyme is delicious in place of the sage.
- Dried herbs can be used, just reduce amount by a third. Dried herbs are much more powerful than fresh.
- Olive oil instead of butter is a good choice.
- Kale could be used in place of spinach.
How to store orzo pasta recipe
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they'll keep for up to 5 days. However, this dish doesn't freeze well. To reheat, place on a plate, sprinkle with a couple teaspoons of water, and microwave until hot. We love this cover for keeping things moist, and minimizing mess, while in the microwave.
FAQ
The biggest culprit when orzo is too soft is over cooking. Orzo only needs 8-10 minutes to cook. Watch it carefully and it will be perfectly tender.
In one pot dinners, we have found a 2:1 ratio for chicken stock to orzo. This keeps it tender and delicious.
Tips and tricks
- To keep the prep time really short, use minced garlic - found in the produce section. Also, use butternut squash cubes found in either the freezer or the produce department.
- If the pasta isn't quite done at the 10 minute mark and the pot has dried out, add a splash or two of water, cover and cook another minute or two.
Serving ideas
While we often serve this One Pot Chicken Sausage and Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta Recipe with store-bought bread and a premade salad from the produce department for a quick weeknight dinner, these side dishes would be delicious.
More easy dinners
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
This post was photographed by Rhadonda Sedgwick.
Recipe
One Pot Chicken Sausage and Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup onion small diced (yellow or sweet)
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 16 ounces chicken sausages thinly sliced (Aidells or similar - any flavor you like!)
- 16 ounces butternut squash peeled and cubed (I buy a 16oz bag already cubed)
- 2 tablespoon fresh sage minced
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup greens spinach or arugula
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese + more for garnish
Instructions
- Start by microwaving the chicken stock until hot (3-5 minutes) to cut down on cooking time. While it's heating, proceed with step 2.3 cups chicken stock
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and saute onion until just beginning to brown. Add in garlic and stir for 30 seconds.2 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup onion, 1 tablespoon garlic
- Toss in chicken sausage, butternut squash, sage and orzo pasta and stir well.16 ounces chicken sausages, 16 ounces butternut squash, 2 tablespoon fresh sage, 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- Pour in hot chicken broth and stir. Cover and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Test for doneness - the orzo should be soft and the squash tender. If they aren't quite tender and the pan has dried out, add a splash or two of water. Once tender, remove from heat.
- Off the heat, stir in cream, greens, and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with additional parmesan if desired.¼ cup heavy cream, 1 cup greens, ¼ cup parmesan cheese + more for garnish
Notes
- To keep the prep time really short, use minced garlic - found in the produce section. Also, use butternut squash cubes found in either the freezer or the produce department.
- If the pasta isn't quite done at the 10 minute mark and the pot has dried out, add a splash or two of water, cover and cook another minute or two.
- Instead of chicken sausage, try rotisserre chicken or even leftover shredded chicken.
- In place of butternut squash, give sweet potatoes a try.
- Fresh thyme is delicious in place of the sage.
- Dried herbs can be used, just reduce amount by a third. Dried herbs are much more powerful than fresh.
- Olive oil instead of butter is a good choice.
- Kale could be used in place of spinach.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
A perfect, well-rounded meal that's easy to make.