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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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
Bring 3 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add a pinch of salt.
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.
While the orzo is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant but not browned.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring gently until wilted. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Once the spinach is fully wilted, stir in the cooked orzo pasta.
Add the lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more lemon juice or Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Remove from heat and serve warm as a side dish or light main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1084 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.6 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 1613 mg | 70% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 156.6 g | 57% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.9 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 36.1 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 377 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 11.3 mg | 63% | |
| Potassium | 35 mg | 1% | |
*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.
