Description
A comforting dish featuring creamy orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and rich Parmesan, perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orzo until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add fresh spinach and sauté until wilted.
- Return the cooked orzo to the pot. Add in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy coating. If it’s too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt and freshly cracked pepper.
- Serve hot, garnishing with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper.
Notes
For variations, consider adding roasted garlic, crispy bacon, or different vegetables. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving can add brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: creamy orzo, spinach parmesan, comfort food, vegetarian pasta, family recipe