5 from 12 votes
Creamy Orzo
Creamy Orzo combines butter, olive oil, shallot, garlic, and lemon zest to toast small rice-shaped pasta before simmering in vegetable broth until tender. Fresh spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan enrich the dish for a creamy, comforting texture and subtle brightness.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
261 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter salted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot minced, large
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 2 cups spinach chopped, fresh
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- crushed red pepper flakes garnish, optional, extra
- basil
- Parmesan Cheese
- lemon for serving, optional, wedges
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and shallot and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in the garlic, lemon zest, and uncooked orzo and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until some pieces are slightly toasted and brown.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often to make sure the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. The orzo is done when it is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
- Stir in the spinach, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir until the spinach is wilted and the orzo is creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes, basil, and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm. If you want a lemon kick, serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
261kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
40mg
(13%)
Sodium
583mg
(24%)
Potassium
165mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1627IU
(33%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
107mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 261
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 261kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 583mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 165mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1627IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 107mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.