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This one pan Boursin orzo bake is creamy, cozy, and full of flavor, all made in a single dish for the easiest gluten-free weeknight dinner. With chicken sausage, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Boursin cheese, it's a quick, family-friendly meal that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together with minimal effort!

Baked one pan orzo with chicken sausage, cherry tomatoes, and spinach in a white baking dish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you're craving a cozy pasta dinner that's as effortless as it is delicious, this baked orzo with chicken sausage checks every box. Everything bakes together in one dish, so the orzo absorbs the savory broth and cheesy sauce perfectly while the sausage adds heartiness and flavor. You'll get all the creamy comfort food vibes - melty cheese, tender pasta, and a rich sauce that thickens as it stands, without boiling pasta separately or washing extra pans.

Because this version uses gluten-free orzo, it fits seamlessly into your weekly rotation of family-friendly meals. It's comforting, creamy, and naturally gluten-free. Just the kind of satisfying recipe that makes dinner simple again.

If you love easy gluten-free dinners, my Creamy Tuscan Chicken is another favorite cozy one-pan meal to add to your rotation. For more comforting recipes, try my Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Soup or Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Lasagna Soup. Both pair beautifully with a side salad or garlic GF toast for an easy weeknight meal!

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Ingredients You'll Need

Here's what makes this creamy tomato orzo bake so flavorful and rich:

Ingredients for one pan orzo bake including Boursin cheese, gluten-free orzo, chicken sausage, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
  • Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese: The secret ingredient that melts into the broth for a creamy, tangy sauce.
  • Gluten-Free Orzo: I like to use Jovial Brown Rice Orzo or Dellalo Brown Rice / Corn Orzo. I do not recommend using Jovial Cassava orzo for this recipe – it turns out way too sticky!
  • Chicken Sausage: Adds protein and savory depth; you can substitute sliced mushrooms or meatballs.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Bake down into sweet, juicy bursts that flavor the sauce.
  • Baby Spinach: Adds color, nutrients, and freshness.
  • Chicken Broth: The liquid base that cooks the orzo and blends with the cheese.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Melts over top for that golden, cheesy finish.
  • Salt, Garlic Powder & Italian Seasoning: Bring everything together with a cozy, herby flavor.

Pro Tip: You can swap the sausage for Amylu or Trader Joe's pre-cooked meatballs or even keep it vegetarian for a Mediterranean orzo bake vibe.

How to Make This One Pan Boursin Orzo Bake

Boursin cheese placed in the center of a baking dish before baking.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the Boursin cheese in the center of a 9×13 baking dish.

Unbaked orzo, sausage, tomatoes, and spinach arranged around Boursin cheese in a pan with broth being poured in.

Step 2: Scatter the gluten-free orzo, sliced chicken sausage, cherry tomatoes, and chopped spinach around the cheese. Sprinkle salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder evenly over the top, then pour the chicken broth over everything.

Baking dish covered with foil before going into the oven for the orzo bake.

Step 3: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.

One pan orzo bake fresh out of the oven being stirred to create a creamy sauce.

Step 4: Remove the foil and stir the ingredients together until a creamy sauce forms and the orzo is tender. If it still feels firm, add ½ cup more broth and bake 5-10 minutes longer.

Finished baked orzo topped with melted Parmesan cheese, ready to serve.

Step 5: Top with Parmesan and let it rest for a few minutes before serving - this helps the sauce thicken to the perfect consistency. Enjoy!

Tips & Add-Ins For A Creamy One Pan Pasta

  • The sauce will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it looks a bit loose right out of the oven.
  • Add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for more color and nutrition.
  • For a cheesy orzo bake twist, mix in shredded mozzarella before baking.
  • If you're meal-prepping, this easy orzo casserole reheats beautifully the next day! Just add a splash of broth before warming it up.
  • In the warmer months, swap the spinach for zucchini or baby kale and add fresh basil for a lighter, summer orzo bake twist. In fall or winter, stir in roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for a heartier flavor.
Plate of creamy one pan orzo bake with chicken sausage and spinach, with a spoon lifting a bite from the dish.

Storage & Reheating Tips

  • Store any leftover orzo bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will continue to thicken as it chills, so when reheating, stir in a splash of broth or a drizzle of milk to bring back its creamy texture.
  • To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or place the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
  • For longer storage, freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Close-up of baked orzo on a plate, ready to eat.

Recipe FAQs

Do you cook orzo before baking it?

No! The beauty of this one-pot orzo recipe is that the orzo cooks right in the baking dish. It absorbs the broth and flavor from the sausage and Boursin as it bakes.

How do you keep baked orzo creamy?

The key is enough liquid and cheese. The combination of broth and Boursin melts into a silky, creamy sauce. Stir well after baking and let it sit a few minutes before serving.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble everything in the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding 5-10 minutes of extra bake time.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the sausage and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or artichokes work beautifully. 

This oven-baked orzo pasta brings together everything you love about comfort food - creamy texture, savory flavor, and easy cleanup all in under an hour! It's the perfect quick weeknight dinner that tastes like something you'd order at your favorite restaurant, only gluten-free and made with real, simple ingredients.

If you loved this recipe, try my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas for another flavorful, one-pan meal that keeps dinner stress-free.

More Cozy Meals You'll Love

Love this one pan orzo bake? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comment section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

5 from 5 votes

Creamy One Pan Boursin Orzo Bake (with Chicken Sausage)

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 cups
This one pan Boursin orzo bake is creamy, cozy, and full of flavor, all made in a single dish for the easiest gluten-free weeknight dinner. With chicken sausage, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Boursin cheese, it's a quick, family-friendly meal that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together with minimal effort!
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Ingredients 

  • 5.3 oz Boursin Garlic & Herb cheese
  • 12 oz gluten free orzo , See notes below!
  • 12 oz chicken sausage, Unexpected cheddar chicken sausages or Applegate spinach feta are my favorite to use in this recipe. Cut into ¼ inch rounds
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth, I like Kettle & Fire brand
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Parmesan, for garnish, if desired

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375. Add the Boursin to the middle of a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the orzo, sliced chicken sausage, cherry tomatoes, and chopped spinach around the Boursin.
  • Sprinkle the seasonings over everything. Pour the broth over top and cover with foil.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, then uncover and stir all of the ingredients together until a creamy sauce forms. The pasta should be cooked through. If it's still too hard, add ½ cup more broth and cook for 5-10 more minutes. Top with parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Notes

  • Jovial brown rice orzo is my favorite. Delallo Brown Rice / Corn Orzo also works. I do not recommend using Jovial Cassava orzo for this recipe – it turns out way too sticky!
  • The sauce will thicken upon standing.
  • Other possible add-ins: sliced mushrooms, Amylu, or Trader Joe’s pre-cooked refrigerated meatballs instead of sausage.
  • If you're meal-prepping, this easy orzo casserole reheats beautifully the next day! Just add a splash of broth before warming it up.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1182mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1236IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.

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8 Comments

  1. April Soldano says:

    I used jovial gluten free orzo and it turned out like glue. Why?

    1. Julie says:

      SAME! Hoping there is a tip I missed, because this seemed like it would have been delish.

  2. Sarah Holler says:

    Quick clean up, delicious taste, minimal work! Another stellar recipe.

  3. Sarah says:

    Easiest recipe ever and looks / tastes like you spent so much time on it! Absolutely delicious. I used Amlu garlic & asiago sausages, and sprinkled mozzerella cheese in before baking. I did have to bake it a full 45 minutes to thoroughly cook the orzo. Mary’s recipes are always the best 🙂

  4. Julie says:

    Very good! Quick and easy dinner!

  5. Robin Salley says:

    So easy and so delicious! Well done! Keep the recipes coming!

  6. Becky says:

    This was fantastic! Extremely easy and fast to throw together in ONE pan. I used an Italian chicken sausage with Parmesan cheese. Very flavorful & great for leftovers.

  7. Beth says:

    Can you make this with the dairy free Boursin ?