Paella for Impatient People 1 Pan Italian Chicken Sausage Orzo

Craving the vibrant flavors of paella but short on time? This "Paella for Impatient People: 1 Pan Italian Chicken Sausage Orzo" recipe serves up all the comforting, Mediterranean-inspired goodness in just 35 minutes with minimal cleanup! Featuring Italian chicken sausage, tender orzo pasta, sweet red bell peppers, and a hint of smoked paprika, this one-pan wonder delivers bold, smoky flavors without the fuss of traditional paella. Juicy cherry tomatoes, bright green peas, and a sprinkle of parsley add pops of freshness to the dish, while a squeeze of lemon takes it to the next level. Quick to prepare, easy to clean up, and bursting with flavor, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 ounces Italian chicken sausage (sliced into rounds)
• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the sliced Italian chicken sausage to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping occasionally, until browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper and sauté for another 2 minutes.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, stirring to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices.

Step 5

Add the orzo pasta to the pan and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the orzo cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Ensure most of the liquid is absorbed, but the mixture remains slightly saucy.

Step 7

Return the cooked sausage to the pan and stir in the frozen peas and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the peas are heated through and the tomatoes soften slightly.

Step 8

Remove the pan from heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 9

Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for a burst of freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1820.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1816.2

Total Fat 62.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 240.1mg	0%
Sodium 2206.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.1g	0%
Total Sugars 36.5g
Protein 100.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 261.9mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 2173.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.8%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 47.1%