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    Home » Pasta Recipes » Garlic Parmesan Orzo With Spinach

    Published: Feb 14, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Garlic Parmesan Orzo With Spinach

    Skip to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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

    a ladle inside a pan of cooked orzo pasta.

    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.

    a close shot of a plate of creamy orzo and chicken thigh with a fork.

    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

    ingredients needed to make parmesan orzo on the counter.

    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!

    the process shot of how to cook parmesan orzo with spinach.

    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

    creamy parmesan orzo on a ladle.

    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.

    a plate of creamy orzo and chicken thigh.

    More pasta recipes you will love

    Creamy ground beef pasta

    Canned tuna pasta

    Broccoli pasta

    Creamy roasted red pepper pasta

    Vegetable pasta bake

    Spinach and ricotta pasta

    Creamy shrimp pasta salad

    Did you try this easy orzo pasta recipe? Don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.

    creamy parmesan orzo in a skillet with a ladle.

    Garlic Parmesan Orzo With Spinach

    Ajoke
    Looking for an easy orzo recipe for dinner? This 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
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Entree, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 627 kcal

    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

    How to store
    Store leftover parmesan orzo in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
    To reheat: simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, add a splash of water or milk to aid reheating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 627kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 24gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 351mgPotassium: 603mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2927IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 217mgIron: 3mg

    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.

    Keyword creamy parmezan orzo, parmesan orzo
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Filed Under: Pasta Recipes

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

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    Hi! I'm Ajoke.

    It is really nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience.

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