The Coziest Butternut Squash Orzo With Sausage Recipe Ever

Butternut squash orzo blends hearty comfort with sophisticated culinary charm, crafting simple ingredients into a delightful meal that sparks immediate appetite.

Autumn’s golden vegetable creates a luxurious backdrop for tender pasta and savory protein, promising rich layers of flavor in every forkful.

creamy textures mingle with robust seasonings, crafting a dish that feels simultaneously rustic and elegant.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate this recipe beyond traditional pasta preparations, infusing each bite with warmth and depth.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious symphony of taste that celebrates fundamental cooking pleasures.

Balanced nutrition meets incredible satisfaction in this one-pot wonder that appeals to both sophisticated palates and home cooking enthusiasts.

The combination promises a culinary experience that feels both familiar and excitingly novel.

Why Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Sausage Feels Like a Hug

• Create a Flavor-Packed One-Pan Wonder: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal with minimal cleanup, combining hearty sausage, creamy butternut squash sauce, and tender orzo in a single skillet.
• Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Comfort at Home: The dish delivers rich, complex flavors through perfectly browned sausage, velvety sauce, and aromatic herbs without requiring advanced cooking skills or hours of preparation.
• Experience Texture-Rich Culinary Harmony: Crispy sausage pieces contrast beautifully with silky butternut squash sauce and perfectly cooked orzo, creating a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Master a Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy home cooks craving a gourmet-style meal without extensive time investment.

Ingredients That Make This Creamy Orzo So Satisfying

• Sausage: Flavorful protein that adds richness and depth to the dish, preferably Italian-style or mild pork sausage.

• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Creamy base that creates a luxurious sauce texture and adds richness.

• Orzo: Small, rice-shaped pasta that absorbs sauce beautifully and provides a smooth texture.

• Butternut Squash Puree, Garlic: Smooth, sweet vegetable puree that adds creamy consistency and depth of flavor, with garlic providing aromatic base.
• Sage, Thyme: Fresh herbs that bring earthy, warming notes and complement the squash and sausage.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing sausage and providing a subtle, rich base for cooking.

How to Prepare Butternut Squash Orzo with Sausage Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Sausage

Remove sausage from casings and slice into bite-sized pieces. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook for 4 minutes without moving, until golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butternut Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Butternut squash puree
• Minced garlic

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low-medium. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens, adjusting cooking time for desired consistency.

Step 3: Cook Orzo Perfectly

Bring water to a boil in a separate pot. Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 7 minutes. Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 4: Combine and Finish Dish

Mix cooked orzo with sauce in the skillet. Stir in half of the sage and thyme. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle remaining herbs on top before serving.

Tips for Achieving Creaminess Without Overcooking

• Slice Sausage Strategically: Cut sausage into even pieces to ensure uniform browning and consistent flavor throughout the dish.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly and stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve the perfect creamy texture.
• Choose Fresh Herbs Wisely: Use freshly chopped sage and thyme for maximum aromatic flavor and brightness in the final dish.
• Perfect Orzo Technique: Stir orzo occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking and achieve a perfectly al dente texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of white wine or a pinch of red pepper flakes to elevate the overall taste profile of the dish.

Smart Storage and Reheating Tips for Orzo and Sausage

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Reheat: Warm the orzo in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the dish is heated through and creamy.
• Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that the texture might slightly change due to the cream-based sauce, but the flavors will remain delicious.

What Goes Well with This Comforting Orzo Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chardonnay or sauvignon blanc cuts through the creamy richness of the butternut squash sauce, balancing the sausage's hearty flavor with its bright, acidic notes.
• Complement with Rustic Salad: Create a simple arugula salad with toasted pine nuts and light lemon vinaigrette to add freshness and contrast to the warm, creamy pasta dish.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a textural crunch that enhances the orzo's creamy consistency.
• Match with Light Red Wine: A pinot noir works wonderfully, offering enough body to stand up to the sausage while maintaining a delicate profile that won't overpower the butternut squash's subtle sweetness.

Fun Variations for Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo

• Vegetarian Squash Orzo: Replace sausage with roasted chickpeas or crispy tofu cubes for a plant-based protein alternative. Enhance flavor with smoked paprika and nutritional yeast.
• Spicy Chorizo Butternut Version: Substitute Italian sausage with spicy chorizo for a bold, zesty kick. Add diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes to amplify heat levels.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Rendition: Switch chicken broth with vegetable stock and incorporate crumbled feta cheese. Stir in kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean flair.
• Autumn Mushroom Fusion: Include sautéed wild mushrooms like shiitake or porcini alongside sausage. Incorporate roasted chestnuts and a splash of white wine for deeper, earthier undertones.

Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo With Sausage Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy butternut squash orzo with sausage blends Italian comfort with autumn’s warmth. Hearty sausage and silky squash mingle in this one-pot wonder that wraps you in delicious satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 10 ounces (283 grams) orzo, uncooked
• 1 cup butternut squash puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Oil:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Extract sausage from its casing and slice into uniform pieces, ensuring each slice is approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) thick for even cooking.
2. Heat of olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat until the oil shimmers and becomes fragrant.
3. Carefully place sausage slices into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust on one side without disturbing for approximately 4 minutes.
4. Gently flip the sausage pieces and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fully cooked and crispy on both sides.
5. Add heavy cream, chicken broth, butternut squash puree, and finely minced garlic to the same skillet with the cooked sausage.
6. Increase heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
7. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop a rich, creamy consistency.
8. In a separate pot, bring of water to a rolling boil and add orzo pasta.
9. Cook orzo according to package instructions, typically 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
10. Drain the orzo in a colander, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed for sauce consistency.
11. Transfer the cooked orzo directly into the skillet with the creamy butternut squash sauce and sausage.
12. Sprinkle half of the chopped sage and thyme into the mixture, stirring gently to distribute herbs evenly.
13. Cook the combined ingredients over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
14. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
15. Garnish with remaining fresh herbs and serve immediately while the dish is hot and creamy.

Notes

• Sausage Sizzle: Brown the sausage slices on one side first to develop a deep, caramelized flavor that adds rich complexity to the dish.
• Sauce Consistency Tip: Simmer the cream-based sauce slowly, stirring occasionally, to achieve the perfect velvety texture without scorching.
• Herb Harmony: Fresh sage and thyme bring earthy, aromatic notes that complement the creamy butternut squash and savory sausage perfectly.
• One-Pot Shortcut: Use the same skillet for cooking sausage and making sauce to capture all the delicious browned bits and maximize flavor.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook orzo just until al dente to ensure a tender yet slightly firm texture that holds up beautifully in the creamy sauce.
• Quick Finish: Combine orzo and sauce over medium-high heat for a final 2 minutes to help the pasta absorb the rich, creamy flavors.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg