Ready in less than 30 minutes, this easy Sausage and Sweet Potato Orzo Pasta is a perfect weeknight dinner! Packed with savory sausage, creamy orzo, tender sweet potatoes, and fresh spinach. It’s a quick and hearty family favorite.
Dinner time just got a whole lot easier with this Sausage and Sweet Potato Orzo Pasta recipe! It’s packed with hearty flavors, creamy textures, and vibrant colors. This dish is the perfect way to enjoy a comforting nutritious meal.
It reminds me of my other sausage recipe with stir fry noodles. You can make this instead if you’re not feening for this orzo pasta.
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WHAT MAKES THIS A WINNER FOR DINNER?
This recipe combines tender sweet potatoes, savory sausage, and creamy orzo pasta to create a well-rounded dish. It can feed your family or a dish for two. Spinach adds a fresh pop of green, while the parmesan cheese and a touch of garlic brings everything together to bring out the full of flavor.
It’s quick and easy and uses only a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s versatile! Swap the kielbasa for your favorite sausage or change the spices to suit your tastes buds. Plus, this will become a weeknight favorite.
So let’s get cooking, TOOTz!
THE BREAKDOWN
Head over to your grocery store and gather these ingredients.
- KIELBASA – Or your favorite sausge. It’s smoky, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cubed sweet potatoes
- SWEET POTATO – Complements the savory flavors of the sausage and creamy orzo. They are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, making the dish more nutritious.
- SPINACH – Cause you need your greens for the healthy touch.
- ORZO PASTA – Provides a creamy taste and is the base of this dish.
- PARMESAN CHEESE – You can’t go wrong with the cheesy flavor for this dish.
- HEAVY CREAM – Brings richness to the dish and the creamy texture.
- GARLIC POWDER, SALT, & PEPPER – Enhances the overall flavor!
- OLIVE OIL – A touch of heart-healthy fats and flavor.
see recipe card for the full instructions
HOW TO MAKE SAUSAGE AND POTATO ORZO PASTA
Boil a pot of water and cook the orzo according to the package directions.
Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into ¼-inch pieces. Slice the sausage into ¼-inch rounds.
Heat ½ Tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add the sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
Add the remaining ½ Tbsp olive oil to the same pan. Add sweet potatoes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly browned.
Add spinach to the pan and cook until wilted.
Drain the orzo and return it to the pot. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Add heavy cream, mixing until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Plate the orzo, then top with sausage, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Serve immediately and enjoy!
MORE DELICIOUS PASTAS
SUBSTITUTIONS
Sausage: Replace kielbasa with chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or a plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Sweet Potatoes: Swap with butternut squash, carrots, or even Yukon Gold potatoes.
Orzo Pasta: Use other small pasta shapes like couscous. For a gluten-free option, try quinoa or rice.
Spinach: Use kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for a different green.
Heavy Cream: Use coconut milk, Greek yogurt, or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative.
Parmesan: Replace with pecorino romano, nutritional yeast (for vegan), or omit for a lighter dish.
TWEAK THIS RECIPE
- Spicy – add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish or a dash of hot sauce for heat. Maybe use sriracha?
- Vegetarian: Skip the sausage and add mushrooms, chickpeas, or roasted bell peppers.
- Cheesy Twist: Use a mix of cheeses like mozzarella or gouda for a creamier dish.
- Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
STORAGE
Allow the sausage and sweet potato orzo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation and makes the dish soggy. Store in the container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
REHEAT
Stovetop: Heat a pan over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Add the sausage and sweet potato orzo and stir occasionally until heated through. If the orzo has absorbed too much moisture, you can add a splash of water or broth to help loosen it up.
Microwave: Place the orzo in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it’s heated through.
Sausage and Sweet Potato Orzo Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz package of Kielbasa (or your favorite sausage)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 tsbp olive oil
- 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
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Instructions
- Boil a pot of water and cook the orzo according to the package directions.
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into ¼-inch pieces. Slice the sausage into ¼-inch rounds.
- Heat ½ Tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add the sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining ½ Tbsp olive oil to the same pan. Add sweet potatoes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly browned.
- Add spinach to the pan and cook until wilted.
- Drain the orzo and return it to the pot. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Add heavy cream, mixing until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Plate the orzo, then top with sausage, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is an approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Ana
This sausage and sweet potato orzo was a perfect weeknight dinner! It was super flavorful and hearty, with the sweet potatoes adding a nice touch of sweetness. Plus, it was easy to throw together, which is always a win. I’ll definitely be adding this to my regular rotation.
Angela Campos
This was such a yummy recipe! It was easy to prepare and the entire family loved it. I can’t wait to make it again!!
Janie | EATernally Yours
Awesome! Glad your family loved this!
Catalina
This sausage and sweet potato orzo pasta was such a delicious and hearty meal! The sweetness of the potatoes paired so well with the savory sausage.
Janie | EATernally Yours
Glad you made this Catalina!
Michelle
Made this for meal prep and it was delicious. Used smoked sausage because that’s what I had, but otherwise didn’t change anything.
Katie Crenshaw
This is the perfect comfort meal. The spicy flavors of the sausage was balanced with the sweetness from the sweet potato. It was nice and hardy from the orzo. I will make again.
Beth
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The smoky flavor of the sausage with the sweet potato’s natural sweetness is yummy.