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Italian Sausage Orzo Pasta with Zucchini & White Beans

This Italian Sausage Orzo Pasta is an easy, comforting weeknight dinner made with savory ground sausage, tender zucchini, hearty white beans, juicy tomatoes, and spinach - all tossed together with perfectly cooked orzo. It’s cozy, filling, and comes together quickly using simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy evenings or meal prep lunches.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • 15 oz can Great Northern beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 zucchini chopped
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes diced
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Serving: Parmesan or Manchego Cheese

Method
 

Cook the Sausage
  1. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add ground Italian sausage. Break it up and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Transfer sausage to a bowl and set aside.
Cook the Orzo
  1. Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions. Drain, then toss with a small drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Sauté the Veggies
  1. In the same pan, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  2. Add zucchini, tomatoes, white beans, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook about 5 minutes, until zucchini is tender.
Finish the Pasta
  1. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
  2. Add cooked sausage and orzo back to the pan. Toss everything together and cook for 2–3 minutes so the flavors combine.
Serve
  1. Serve warm as-is or topped with grated parmesan or Manchego if desired.

Notes

Optional Add-Ins: 
  • Red pepper flakes for heat
  • Lemon zest for brightness
  • Fresh basil or parsley
  • A splash of cream or pasta water for extra creaminess