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Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo

This creamy garlic spinach orzo is a comforting and easy to make side dish that comes together fast and will have everyone asking for seconds! It's ready in 30 minutes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 333 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often (this infuses the orzo with more flavor and toasts it a bit).
  3. Stir in the chicken broth and cream. Once it starts to bubble, continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often. You will likely need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). You want it to gently bubble vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
  4. Take the pot off the heat, stir in the parmesan and spinach, and cover the pot for 3-5 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. The orzo will absorb the liquid quickly, so if it still seems like there's too much liquid, just wait a little bit longer. Season with salt & pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Orzo is pasta. If you want to make this with rice, you may have to adjust liquid measurements and cooking time (it would be a different recipe).
  • Feel free to leave the spinach out if it's not your thing or you don't have any. I just add it for a bit of color and texture and to make it a bit more nutritious.

Nutrition Information

Calories 333kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Cholesterol 72mg (24%) Sodium 473mg (20%) Potassium 236mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1710IU (34%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 144mg (14%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 333

% Daily Value*

Calories 333kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 473mg 20%
Potassium 236mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1710IU 34%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 144mg 14%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.