4.9 from 42 votes
Creamy Spinach Bacon Orzo
This one pot spinach bacon orzo recipe takes everyone's favorite pasta and pairs it with fresh spinach and crispy bacon! It's creamy, quick, and like a risotto but easier.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 365 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 trips Bacon cut into small pieces
- 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
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (this is quick and easy with kitchen shears) and fry it in a soup pot until crispy.
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo to the pot (don't drain the bacon grease, and leave the bacon in the pot). Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often (this infuses the orzo with more flavor and toasts it a bit).
- Stir in the chicken broth and cream. Once it starts bubbling, 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). It should gently bubble vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
- 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, just wait a little bit longer. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Orzo is pasta. If you want to swap it with rice, you may have to adjust liquid measurements and cooking time.
Nutrition Information
Calories
365kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
68mg
(23%)
Sodium
603mg
(25%)
Potassium
231mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1604IU
(32%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
124mg
(12%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 365
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 365kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 603mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 231mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1604IU | 32% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 124mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.