Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo Recipe
This creamy garlic spinach orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The orzo is toasted with garlic and Italian seasoning, then simmered in a rich chicken broth and cream mixture, finished with fresh spinach and Parmesan for a luscious, cheesy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the olive oil, butter, and chopped onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Cook the onion for 3-4 minutes until it’s softened and translucent, creating a flavorful base.
- Toast Orzo and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to infuse the pasta with flavor and lightly toast it.
- Simmer with Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed without boiling vigorously.
- Finish with Cheese and Spinach: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the packed baby spinach. Cover and let sit for 3-5 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth to make the dish vegetarian.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Feel free to add cooked chicken or mushrooms for extra protein and flavor.
- Stir gently when adding spinach to avoid overcooking it.
- If the orzo appears too dry before it’s fully cooked, add a splash of broth or water to prevent sticking.
Keywords: creamy garlic spinach orzo, easy one-pot meal, Italian orzo recipe, spinach pasta, comfort food, vegetarian dinner
Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/creamy-garlic-spinach-orzo-recipe/
