Description
This Chicken Sausage Orzo and Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Dinner is a game-changer for busy weeknights, combining savory chicken sausage, sweet butternut squash, and perfectly cooked orzo all in one pan. It’s easy to prepare, delicious, and makes cleanup a breeze!
Ingredients
- Fully cooked chicken sausage
- Raw chicken sausage (optional)
- Beef sausage (optional)
- Orzo pasta
- Butternut squash
- Red onion
- Bell pepper (any color)
- Fresh broccoli florets (optional)
- Garlic powder
- Dried thyme
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Non-alcoholic chicken broth
- Vegetable broth (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease or line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. If using a whole butternut squash, peel it, scoop out the seeds, and chop it into even 1-inch cubes. Slice your chicken sausage into ½-inch rounds, and slice red onion or bell pepper if using.
- In a large bowl, combine cubed butternut squash, sliced chicken sausage, and any additional vegetables like red onion or bell pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated and spread the mixture out in a single layer over about two-thirds of the prepared baking sheet.
- On the remaining one-third of the baking sheet, pour uncooked orzo. Carefully pour non-alcoholic chicken or vegetable broth over the orzo and stir to ensure it's submerged in the broth.
- Cover the entire baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and take off the foil. Stir the orzo and the roasted ingredients. If the orzo looks dry, add a splash of broth or water. Return the uncovered sheet pan to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender, the sausage is browned, and the orzo is cooked.
- Once cooked, gently stir everything to combine and serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Don't overcrowd the pan to ensure even roasting. You can substitute chicken sausage with beef sausage if preferred. For a flavor boost, add fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.