5.0 from 9 votes
Creamy Butter Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta
This orzo pasta is creamy, healthy, and comforting. It's packed with fresh spinach, parmigiano cheese, and just enough lemon zest to tease your taste buds. The simple and fresh ingredients create a delightful marriage of flavors that make this meal easy to love. It is a meal I can eat on a weekly bases. I know you will love it too!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 408 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 pound dried orzo pasta about 2 1/2 cups
- 2 cups packed baby spinach
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a roaring boil and season with salt. Add orzo and cook until al dente directions.
- Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet pan over medium-high heat until butter is barely melted. Add the onion and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and garlic then season with salt and pepper. Stir often and cook about 5-8 minutes until spinach is tender. Turn heat to low temperature.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and add to pan with spinach and onion. Add pasta water and remaining butter. Stir for about one minutes on low heat letting the butter, pasta, and spinach combine. Add the parmigiano cheese* and lemon zest. Stir to combine. Top with more cheese for garnish and serve hot! Mangia (Eat!)
Cup of Yum
Notes
- * If you do not use real freshly grated parmigiano cheese your sauce may be lumpy as the cheese will not melt to create a smooth sauce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
408kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
16g
(32%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
21mg
(7%)
Sodium
310mg
(13%)
Potassium
262mg
(7%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1185IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
229mg
(23%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 408
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 408kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 262mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1185IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 229mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.