Description
This Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo is a quick and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender orzo pasta coated in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, enriched with fresh spinach. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients to create a rich, flavorful, and satisfying meal in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Orzo and Pasta
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons flour
- 1 cup milk (fat free half & half preferred)
- ⅔ cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh lemon zest
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Prepare the orzo pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain it well and set it aside to be mixed later.
- Sauté Garlic: In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic along with salt and pepper, then sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant without burning.
- Create the Sauce Base: Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir continuously for one minute to cook out the raw flavor. Gradually whisk in about ¼ cup of the milk to dissolve any lumps. Once smooth, add the remaining milk and continue whisking until combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Add Spinach and Cheese: Stir the roughly chopped spinach into the thickened sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach softens and darkens in color. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Combine with Orzo and Serve: Add the cooked orzo to the sauce and stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve the creamy Parmesan spinach orzo immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and optional fresh lemon zest and cracked black pepper for added brightness and flavor.
Notes
- Using fat free half & half adds creaminess with less fat, but whole milk can be substituted for a richer sauce.
- Be sure to whisk the milk gradually into the flour to avoid lumps in the sauce.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby spinach or frozen spinach (thawed and drained) if fresh is unavailable.
- Optional lemon zest adds a refreshing citrus note that complements the richness of the cheese.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon standing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
