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Easy • Vegetarian

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Spinach

A luxurious yet simple orzo dish, rich with Parmesan and wilted spinach, ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep
5 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Spinach

Looking for a comforting side or a light vegetarian main that feels a little fancy but is super easy? This Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Spinach is your new best friend. It’s wonderfully cheesy, subtly garlicky, and comes together faster than you can set the table.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, minced (or 1/4 small onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half (or heavy cream for richer)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced shallot and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the orzo pasta, toasting it for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden. This adds a nice nutty flavor.

  3. Step 3

    Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is al dente.

  4. Step 4

    Remove from heat. Stir in the half-and-half and grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and melted. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Step 5

    Add the fresh spinach in batches, stirring until it wilts into the orzo. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips

  • For a richer dish, use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
  • If the orzo gets too thick, add a splash more broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
  • Leftovers can be reheated gently with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.

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