Orzo with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and wholesome Orzo with Spinach and Pine Nuts recipe! Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with wilted baby spinach, toasty pine nuts, and a hint of garlic, this dish is bursting with fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a zesty brightness, while grated Parmesan cheese offers creamy, savory richness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe makes an easy yet elegant side dish or light main course. Perfectly balanced with textures and seasoned to perfection, this orzo dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 4 cups water
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the orzo and set it aside.
While the orzo is cooking, place a small skillet over medium heat and add the pine nuts. Toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir the cooked orzo into the spinach mixture. Add the lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top.
Serve warm as a side dish or light main course. Garnish with additional Parmesan if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1316 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 60.7 g | 78% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 1642 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 162.1 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.2 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.2 g | ||
| Protein | 41.0 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 446 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 13.3 mg | 74% | |
| Potassium | 248 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
