Description
Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo is a simple and flavorful dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners. This creamy pasta features tender spinach and parmesan cheese blended into a smooth sauce that pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 green onions chopped (about ¼ cup)
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 ¾ cup milk
- 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil the orzo in well-salted water until it is tender but still firm. Drain and set aside.
- Warm the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped green onions and minced garlic to the pot and cook for about a minute until the onions soften and the garlic releases its aroma.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir to mix well.
- Incorporate the flour into the pot and stir continuously for about 30 seconds to eliminate any raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to prevent lumps, then cook the mixture, stirring now and then, until it thickens and begins to simmer gently, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped spinach until it wilts into the sauce.
- Add the shredded parmesan and stir until it melts fully into a creamy sauce.
- Return the cooked orzo to the sauce and toss until the pasta is evenly coated. Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Additions and Substitutions
- Use feta, goat cheese, white cheddar, fontina, brie, or havarti in place of or in addition to the parmesan here
- Swap kale or arugula for the spinach if you prefer or use frozen spinach
- Add chicken, shrimp, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, or other veggies to make this orzo heartier
- If the sauce is too thin, cook it a bit longer
- if too thick, thin with a splash of milk
- Use shallots, yellow, or white onions instead of green onions
- No orzo? Substitute with other pasta, adjusting milk or adding cream as needed
- Strict vegetarians should check for parmesan made without rennet
- This recipe was updated in April 2020
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Makes 4 servings
- Calories: 368
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 980.8 mg
- Fat: 13.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.9 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 16.5 mg