Looking for an easy orzo recipe for dinner? This creamy garlic parmesan orzo with spinach is quick and incredibly easy to make. Great comfort food that is packed with flavor, it is creamy, and utterly delicious! You can have dinner from the kitchen to your table under 20 minutes
Parmesan orzo with spinach recipe
Orzo is such a versatile pasta and I love cooking it because it is easy and quick to make! This is what you need if you are in search of a great recipe for orzo. Everything is made in one pot under 20 minutes!
I love pasta recipes that are simple and straightforward to make like this Boursin pasta, creamy chicken cajun pasta, or this pink sauce pasta. This homemade parmesan orzo recipe only requires a few steps to make and it is perfect for a busy weeknight.
This garlic parmesan orzo with spinach recipe is legit going to be on rotation in your household, and if you are yet to try orzo pasta aka pasta rice, now is the time. With only a handful of pantry and fridge staple ingredients, your meatless dinner is ready before you can say parmesan orzo.
Talking about meatless, to make this dish a complete meatless meal, you can stir in some mushrooms, asparagus tips, peas, or any other type of veg you desired. This recipe is a great way to use leftover proteins in your fridges such as chicken, salmon, shrimp, and many more.
Tools needed
- Shallow skillet
- Microplane grater for grating the parmesan cheese.
- Measuring cup for measuring the pasta and stock.
Ingredients
Dry orzo pasta
Chicken stock (4 cups)substitute with chicken broth
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Butter: this can be salted or unsalted substitute with olive oil
Fresh Garlic cloves; substitute with garlic powder or garlic granules.
Fresh baby spinach: substitute with frozen spinach, make sure it is completely thawed.
Heavy cream
Parsley
Salt and black pepper
How to make garlic parmesan orzo with spInach
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted, add chopped garlic and saute until soft and fragrant.
Add orzo pasta, stir continuously to toast for about 1-2 minutes, stir in chicken stocks, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley, cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to simmer stirring occasionally until the orzo is aldente and the liquid absorbed.
Stir in the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, and stir until combined and the cheese melted. Add fresh baby spinach and stir into the creamy orzo until just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately or while it is still warm. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
- Squeeze fresh lemon to the finished recipe for a lemony and vibrant flavor.
- Add chili flakes for a little bit of heat
- Do not forget the orzo on the stovetop when boiling it, do keep an eye and stir it from time to time so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan or burn. Add broth/stock/water if need be.
- To make this recipe vegetarian and vegan friendly, simply use plant-based milk such as almond milk and opt for vegan or vegetarian parmesan cheese.
How to store
Store leftover parmesan orzo in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To reheat: simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, add a splash of water or milk to aid reheating.
Watch how to make it
FAQs
What is orzo?
Orzo is a type of pasta, made from wheat flour and shaped into a small flat oval shape, similar to rice, it is also known as 'risoni' and can be made whole grain or regular (with flour).
The word "orzo," in Italy, refers to barley grains and looks like rice but it does cook faster than rice. It has a similar look to risotto when cooked and It is served as a main dish or side dish, it can be added to soups, salads, stews, and casseroles. You can cook orzo and use it the same way you use pasta in recipes.
How long to cook orzo pasta
Cooking orzo pasta takes about 7- 10 minutes. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the orzo, the brand of pasta used, and the method of cooking.
How much orzo per person
This will depend on who are feeding the pasta or cooking for. An average person would eat between 75-100g depending on their appetite.
Can I substitute parmesan cheese with other cheeses
Yes, you can substitute parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) for other types of cheeses that you desire. For example, Asiago cheese or Grandano panado is closely related to parmesan cheese and can be substituted 1:1. You can also mix different types of cheese or make a blend as well.
I don't have heavy cream, can I use milk
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with whole milk in this recipe. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid you add later to your orzo dish. You can also use fat-free, half and half, or sour cream? Simply adjust the liquid ratio so that the pasta is not dry and based on how creamy you want it.
More pasta recipes you will love
Creamy roasted red pepper pasta
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Garlic Parmesan Orzo With Spinach
Ingredients
- 400 g dry orzo pasta
- 4 cups low sodium chicken stock substitute with chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 30 g butter this can be salted or unsalted substitute with olive oil (1-2 Tbsp)
- 2 larges garlic cloves substitute with garlic powder or garlic granules.
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach substitute with 1 cup frozen spinach thawed and squeezed.
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted, add chopped garlic and saute until soft and fragrant.
- Add orzo pasta, stir continuously to toast for about 1-2 minutes, stir in chicken stocks, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley, cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to simmer stirring occasionally until the orzo is aldente and the liquid absorbed.
- Stir in the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, and stir until combined and the cheese melted. Add fresh baby spinach and stir into the creamy orzo until just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately or while it is still warm. Enjoy!PS: add more stock/water if the pasta looks dry.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
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