Description
A comforting and creamy dish made with butternut squash, spicy Italian sausage, and orzo pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 oz spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz peeled and cubed butternut squash
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 5 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the crumbled Italian sausage, Italian seasoning, fresh thyme leaves, and red pepper flakes. Stir regularly to break up the sausage and cook until juices release and sausage is halfway cooked.
- Add uncooked orzo and minced garlic to the sausage mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes until the orzo starts browning.
- Pour in chicken stock and add cubed butternut squash. Stir thoroughly, cover with a lid, bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook covered for 5 to 10 minutes until the orzo and squash are tender.
- Add fresh spinach to the pot, cover, and cook over low heat until the spinach wilts, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Thin the soup with extra chicken stock or water if too thick. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or peas.
- This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg