This One Pot Hot Honey Orzo Recipe is a 25-minute dinner that's perfect for busy nights! Made in just one skillet, it's a super easy, sweet and spicy meal packed with flavor. With minimal chopping, juicy Italian sausage, tender orzo, and a drizzle of spicy honey, it's as effortless as it is delicious.
This quick and cozy recipe is just one of many hot honey recipes! Be sure to check out the full collection for more fun and tasty ways to use this crazy good condiment.
Hold the horses! This dinner is seriously amazing. It's a one pot orzo recipe you'll want on repeat every week. That crazy good flavor? You can thank our super popular hot honey sauce-use homemade, store-bought, whatever you've got! And don't worry about the "hot" part-most versions have just a touch of heat, and we've got all the tips in the recipe card to make it just right for you.
Orzo is totally having a moment around here. While this one's a year-round winner, we've got some seasonal favs too: cozy Butternut Squash Orzo, fresh Chicken Orzo with Pesto, and for spring and summer vibes, Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad. So good!
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Why this recipe is great
- It's a totally different flavor vibe! Hot honey bowls are all the rage right now, and this recipe takes that sweet-meets-spicy magic and turns it into an easy one pot dinner.
- Minimal chopping! Dinner is always better when you don't have lots to prep. Just brown the sausage, toss in the rest, cover it up, and boom - done!
- And let's not forget the best part on a busy weeknights: minimal dishes. One pot, one happy kitchen
Ingredients
These are the essential ingredients for this quick and easy dinner. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- Chicken broth: Instead of water, chicken broth imparts extra flavor.
- Orzo: Small pasta, just a little bigger than rice, cooks quickly and with very little fuss!
- Cream: Just a splash of cream brings richness to the dish.
- Sausage: Ground Italian sausage has enough fat so no need for olive oil.
- Tomatoes: Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half are a nice pop.
- Spinach: Baby spinach leaves are tender and just blend right in. If oly large spinach is available run your knife through it before adding it to the pot.
- Onion: Yellow or sweet onion work well.
- Garlic: Chop your own or use pre-minced garlic to make life easier. Both are delicious!
- Seasonings: Ground mustard, dried thyme, dried basil, salt and black pepper get added to bring just the right amount of flavor.
- Hot honey: You can really customize this ingredient. Use some of our homemade hot honey sauce, homemade hot honey (the flavor of this one is incredible!), or your favorite store-bought one.
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make one pot hot honey orzo pasta
This simple weeknight dinner comes together quickly. The main point is to use a pot with a lid or extra large skillet that is big enough to accommodate all the ingredients.
Start by cooking the Italian sausage and chopped onions over medium heat to medium-high heat. As it cooks use your spatula or wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces.
While this is cooking, warm the chicken broth in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. That will help cut down on cooking time.
Once the meat is cooked through without any pink remaining, add in the minced garlic and seasonings. Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan frequently for 30 seconds.
Putting the seasonings in at this time is called "blooming". Blooming the spices helps intensify their flavor. We really notice a difference when we incorporate this step.
Add the orzo and stir it into the meat mixture. Once mixed, toss in the tomatoes and pour in the broth.
Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the pasta is tender - about 10-12 minutes. On my stove, a simmer is reached on low but for each stovetop that will be different.
Once the pasta is tender, remove the lid and take the pot off the heat.
Add in the spinach leaves and the heavy cream. Stir until well combined.
Serve with a drizzle of hot honey while warm.
Hint: To lower the heat level, use sweet Italian sausage and regular honey with just a few red chili flakes or sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Although, that will change the flavor profile a bit.
Variations or substitutions
- Dairy free: Just leave out the cream
- Cheese: If you just can't eat pasta without parmesan cheese, feel free to add some in.
- Spinach: Try using a baby kale or arugula.
- Tomatoes: A can of tomatoes will work in a pinch or even chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Sausage: Italian turkey sausage is delicious as well.
- Broth: Use vegetable broth or bouillon in place of chicken stock.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs take longer to prep but are tasty! Fresh basil is especially delicious!
What to serve with sausage orzo pasta
- A simple side salad
- No Knead Focaccia (with fresh rosemary!)
- Roasted Broccoli
- Green Beans with Almonds (uses frozen green beans!)
- Pull-Apart Bread
FAQs
If the pasta isn't tender, just add in a splash of chicken broth or water and allow it to keep cooking for a couple more minutes.
Once the pasta has cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips & tricks
- If you ever have leftover fresh spinach, freeze it! This recipe and ones like it are a great time to use it up.
- Use extra red chili flakes if you find you want a little more heat.
- 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.
More recipes that use hot honey
We love hot honey around here! Just a few of our favorites:
This post was photographed by Rhadonda Sedgwick.
Recipe
One Pot Hot Honey Orzo Recipe (25 Minute Dinner)
Equipment
- large pot or large skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spicy Italian sausage
- ½ medium onion small diced (yellow or sweet) (about ½ cup)
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half, 1 pint
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup greens spinach or arugula
- Hot honey for serving (homemade or store bought)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat, brown the sausage and onions together until the meat is crumbled and cooked through. While that's cooking, heat the chicken broth in the microwave for 3-5 minutes until very hot, to cut down on cooking time.16 ounces spicy Italian sausage, ½ medium onion
- Once the meat is cooked through, add in the minced garlic, basil, thyme, ground mustard, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Add the orzo and stir well. Then pour in the hot chicken broth and tomatoes and stir. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes (typically this is low heat for me, but it depends on your burner. It should be simmering gently). Test for doneness - the orzo should be soft. If it isn't quite tender and the pan has dried out, add a splash or two of water. Once tender, remove from heat.1.5 cups orzo pasta, 3 cups chicken stock, 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes
- Off the heat, stir in cream and greens. Drizzle with hot honey and serve.¼ cup heavy cream, 1 cup greens, Hot honey
Notes
- If you ever have leftover fresh spinach, freeze it! This recipe and ones like it are a great time to use it up.
- Use extra red chili flakes if you find you want a little more heat.
- 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.
- Hot Honey Sauce (the one pictures in this post)
- Homemade Hot Honey
- Store-bought Hot Honey
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.
Misty says
This recipe is the perfect quick dinner!