Spinach and Orzo
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this quick and delicious Spinach and Orzo recipe—an irresistible blend of tender orzo pasta and vibrant baby spinach, tossed in a fragrant garlic-infused olive oil. Brightened with a hint of zesty lemon juice and finished with a touch of creamy Parmesan cheese, this dish strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a versatile meal that can be served warm as a satisfying side dish or a light vegetarian main course. Plus, with the option to use either water or rich chicken broth, you can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences. Perfect for a wholesome, family-friendly meal or entertaining guests with ease!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 none garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
Directions
Step 1
Bring 3 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add a pinch of salt.
Step 2
Stir in the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
Step 3
While the orzo is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant but not browned.
Step 5
Add the baby spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring gently until wilted. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Step 6
Once the spinach is fully wilted, stir in the cooked orzo pasta.
Step 7
Add the lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Step 8
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more lemon juice or Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Step 9
Remove from heat and serve warm as a side dish or light main course.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1109.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1084.3 |
| Total Fat 37.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 8.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 20mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1612.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 156.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 4.0g | |
| Protein 36.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 377.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 11.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 35.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories