Description
A creamy and flavorful orzo dish with spinach and Parmesan, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the broth.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the fresh spinach to the pot and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, reserved broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked orzo and grated Parmesan cheese to the pot. Stir until the cheese is melted and the orzo is well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- For a protein boost, add cooked chicken or shrimp to the dish before serving.
- Substitute half of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version while still maintaining creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg