5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo

This 5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo is another super easy weeknight dinner that will be ready and on the table in 30 minutes or less!

A few things I can’t deny loving are orzo, one skillet meals, 5 ingredient meals, anything spicy, and anything extremely easy. This 5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo is all of those things plus it’s incredibly delicious and satisfying!

5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo

We love orzo in our house. It’s one of those things that I always have on hand and if I ever can’t think of what to make, I turn to one skillet orzo!! If you haven’t tried my 5 Ingredient Chicken Sausage and Orzo Skillet, now is the time. Well, after you Make this one of course.

5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo

Here is what you will need to make this easy 5 Ingredient Dinner!

  • 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (you can sub mild or sweet if you don’t like spicy)
  • 2 small zucchini squash, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo 
  • 3 cups broth (chicken or vegetable both work!)
  • Grated Parmesan (about 3/4 cup) 
  • Salt + Pepper to taste 
  • 2-3 T olive oil 
  • 2 cloves minced garlic, optional 
  • Spinach or arugula, optional 
5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo

I always like to add a few optional items on the recipe list that may enhance the dish a bit, but aren’t absolutely necessary if you don’t happen to have them on hand. This 5 Ingredient dinner will be ready and on the table in no time and was an absolute hit in our house! I hope you love it.

As always, if you make this recipe, a comment and/or review below is so greatly appreciated! It’s so very helpful for me and other readers. Thank you for the support!! xo, Lindsay

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5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo

5 Ingredient Italian Sausage and Zucchini Orzo
  • Author: Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (you can sub mild or sweet if you don’t like spicy)
  • 2 small zucchini squash, chopped in 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo 
  • 3 cups broth (chicken or vegetable both work!), more as needed
  • Grated Parmesan (about 3/4 cup) 
  • Salt + Pepper to taste 
  • 23 T olive oil 
  • 2 cloves minced garlic, optional 
  • Spinach or arugula, optional 
Scale

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add oil.  Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon until cooked through and crumbly.  
  2. Add in zucchini and sauté 2-3 minutes.  Then add in orzo (option to add 2 cloves fresh minced garlic at this time too) and toast for 60 seconds.  Pour in broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes until orzo is cooked.  Season to taste with salt and pepper
  3. Stir in parmesan until creamy.  If you want to add spinach or arugula, toss in now. 
  4. Serve in bowls with more parmesan and enjoy!! 
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42 Comments

  • Reply
    Alessandro Cola
    May 2, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    SOOOOO GOOD!






  • Reply
    Kathleen Male
    June 26, 2022 at 6:54 pm

    Love this one! Definitely a keeper! I didn’t have spinach or arugula so I left those out + it was still fabulous! Keep up the fantastic work, girl.






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      June 29, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      Aww thank you so much for the sweet note! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! Hope all is well! XOXO

  • Reply
    megan
    July 5, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    yum! thank you!!

  • Reply
    marisa
    July 7, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    One of my new regular things I make! I love it so much!






  • Reply
    Gina P
    July 13, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    made tonight and my husband and kids both devoured. Subbed mild sausage for my kids and then just added red pepper flakes to my husband and I’s. Will be in weekly rotation going forward!






  • Reply
    Chelsea
    July 31, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    Just made for the first time and it was a hit with everyone! I agree with the comment of making with mild sausage and just adding red pepper flakes for those that want the heat. Adding the spinach gave more depth and it’s something that will be in our regular rotation now!






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      August 9, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Chelsea! Thanks SO much for sharing!!! I think subbing mild is definitely a good choice, I’ve been doing that recently too! Thanks again for sharing and I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!

  • Reply
    Susan kenskow
    September 28, 2022 at 6:02 pm

    Wow! This is very yummy and easy. Thank you






  • Reply
    Charlotte Muennink
    October 5, 2022 at 10:01 am

    Would you recommend freezing this recipe?

    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      October 5, 2022 at 10:13 am

      Hi Charlotte! Yes you could certainly freeze it. I have not tried it but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I would make it then let cool completely before transferring to freezer (in an airtight container). You could then re-heat in the oven, stove top or microwave!

  • Reply
    Robin Fenn
    October 14, 2022 at 1:41 pm

    My household Loved this recipe!! So yummy, easy and fun to make, even on a busy evening! I used the hot sausage and didn’t add the greens this time around b/c it seemed like it was great without it. I will definitely be making this again and try adding the spinach or arugula for variety! Thanks Lindsay for the Awesome recipe and for introducing our family to Orzo!!






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      October 19, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      I love to hear this so so much!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share! Glad everyone enjoyed it 🙂 🙂

  • Reply
    Anna
    January 23, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    So so good. We will be adding to our rotation!






  • Reply
    Liv
    February 13, 2023 at 11:54 am

    My fiancé’s new fave! Subbed in ground beef + red pepper flakes, and it was stellar! He legit is requesting this to be made weekly. So tasty!






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      February 13, 2023 at 11:55 am

      That is my favorite thing to hear!!! So happy you all loved it! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment- means so much!

  • Reply
    Joanne
    March 18, 2023 at 11:14 am

    Family favorite, thank you for this amazing and EASY recipe!






  • Reply
    Mallory
    April 27, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    This smells delicious and I can’t wait to taste but I am wondering, should most of the liquid be cooked off? My orzo is done but it’s still pretty liquid-y. Wondering if I did something wrong! Haha

    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      June 23, 2023 at 11:33 am

      Hi there! So sorry for delay, I somehow didn’t see this comment. Yes, most of the liquid should be cooked off and it should be really creamy! Maybe you needed to cook it a bit longer. Some cooktops vary as far as heat goes, so maybe that was the issue! Hopefully you will try it again!

  • Reply
    Stacy
    May 13, 2023 at 7:09 am

    This is such a great and easy recipe! Have you tried it with brown rice or any other alternatives to orzo?






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      June 23, 2023 at 11:37 am

      I haven’t but you absolutely could sub rice or quinoa and I’m sure it would be delicious! The cooking time may vary however depending on what it is that you decide to use.

  • Reply
    Adele
    July 13, 2023 at 12:17 pm

    Absolutely delicious!! This will definitely be a go to recipe during zucchini season. I took the advice of mild Italian sausage and gave it a little zing with some crushed red pepper to our liking. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!!






  • Reply
    Julie Jaynes
    November 11, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    Thank you for sharing! This is a regular meal for my family. Super simple and tastes great!






  • Reply
    Kori
    January 11, 2024 at 8:53 pm

    Very tasty!
    I used mild Italian sausage and added some red pepper flakes. I also added the garlic and spinach.y only complaint is that there wasn’t enough for leftovers. My husband and 3 kids gobbled it up! Next time I will have to double the recipe so that I can enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day.






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      February 21, 2024 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you for the comment!! I’m SO glad you and your whole family loved it!!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    March 5, 2024 at 10:54 pm

    Super simple and very tasty! Everyone enjoyed it. Thank you !!!

  • Reply
    Katie
    April 12, 2024 at 8:27 pm

    My family loves this recipe! It’s become one of our regulars and I’ve been sharing it with friends! The only thing different is that I added some diced onion to sautéed with the sausage. Thank you!

    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      June 24, 2024 at 8:49 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing!!! The sautéed onion addition is great!! Shallot would be delicious also! So glad you are enjoying it- thanks again!!!

  • Reply
    Jamie
    May 7, 2024 at 6:10 pm

    So delicious! I sautéed an onion with it but other than that stuck to the recipe and the whole family loved it!

  • Reply
    Julia Walker
    May 15, 2024 at 9:24 pm

    Made this for dinner tonight and it was a success. I used mild Italian sausage and added pepper flakes as suggested in other comments. Definitely will add into our rotation






  • Reply
    Kenzie
    May 21, 2024 at 5:42 pm

    Super simple and delicious!! My husband keeps requesting this weekly 🙂






  • Reply
    Danielle
    May 22, 2024 at 2:45 am

    Amazing!! So yummy and easy to cook.

    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      June 24, 2024 at 8:44 pm

      Woo hoo!! This is a favorite at our house too. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, always makes my day!

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