Orzo with Spinach

If you’re on the hunt for a dish that effortlessly blends comfort and sophistication, look no further than creamy orzo with spinach. This delightful recipe envelopes tiny, rice-shaped pasta in a velvety sauce to make a perfect side dish or, with the addition of protein, a satisfying main course.

Packed with roasted garlic and fresh, iron-rich spinach, it not only pleases the palate but also adds a pop of color to your plate. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply enjoying a cozy night in, this creamy orzo dish is sure to become a staple in your repertoire.

Ingredients for Orzo with Spinach

• Garlic: The surprise star of this show is the whole roasted garlic bulb, but if you’re a true garlic gal or guy, feel free to add a few more cloves! Not a fan? Skip it altogether.
• Olive oil: You’ll want a high-quality olive oil to drizzle over the garlic bulb before roasting and to toast the orzo before you add the chicken stock.
• Whole wheat orzo pasta: Although these tiny grains look like rice, they’re actually pasta, and they’re delicious in creamy velvety sauces.
• Chicken stock: We like to boil the orzo in a flavor-packed stock instead of water for leveled-up taste.
• Cream cheese and milk: We use reduced-fat cream cheese and fat-free milk to keep things creamy yet light, but you can use the full-fat versions if you want a more decadent dish.
• Spinach: The spinach brings a bit of green. Opt for fresh over frozen, or your orzo could become watery instead of creamy.
• Asiago cheese: This cheese has a mild nutty taste that plays well with spinach and creamy orzo.
• Seasonings: The only two seasonings needed for this creamy orzo are salt and a salt-free garlic-pepper seasoning blend. If you want more of a kick, you could add red pepper flakes to the mix.
• Parsley: Pasta dishes are always better when garnished with fresh herbs at the end. A smattering of minced parsley will add a peppery, herbaceous note.

Directions

Step 1: Roast the garlic

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Remove the papery outer skin from the garlic bulb, but do not peel or separate the cloves. Cut off the top of the bulb, exposing the individual cloves inside. Drizzle the cut cloves with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, then wrap the garlic in foil. Bake it for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cloves are soft. When it’s cool enough to handle, unwrap the bulb from the foil and squeeze the garlic cloves from the skins.

Step 2: Cook the orzo

In a Dutch oven, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring, for two to three minutes or until the orzo is lightly browned. Add the chicken stock, and bring the pan to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Step 3: Make it creamy

Stir the cream cheese into the cooked orzo until it’s melted and creamy. Add the spinach, Asiago cheese, milk, seasoning blend, salt and roasted garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted. Finish with a sprinkle of parsley.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Orzo with Spinach Variations

• Add a protein: Although we love this vegetarian-friendly dish just as it is, it would also be delicious topped with grilled chicken or next to a juicy steak.
• Make it Mediterranean: Sliced kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta cheese will give this creamy orzo a Mediterranean twist.
• Add mushrooms: Sneak a few more nutritious veggies into the mix with roasted mushrooms and shallots.
• Top it with fried onions: The flavors of this orzo dish lend themselves to a crispy, crunchy topper like fried onions.

How to Store Orzo with Spinach

The best thing about roasted garlic and spinach orzo? It tastes even better the next day, so don’t let one bite go to waste! Pack up any leftovers in sealed, airtight containers and place them in the fridge until you’re ready for more.

How long does orzo with spinach last?

Stored properly, this dish will stay fresh in the fridge for two to three days.

Can you freeze creamy spinach orzo?

You can, but we don’t recommend it. Considering this dish has cream cheese and cooked pasta, the texture will be different after you defrost it.

Orzo with Spinach Tips

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

How do I make this orzo and spinach recipe less thick?

Try adding a little more milk or a few ladles of reserved pasta water to thin it out. You could also do a squeeze of lemon juice to add acidity.

How can I make this dish even creamier?

Double the Asiago cheese, use whole milk instead of fat-free and try an extra scoop of creme fraiche for even more creamy flavor.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

You bet! Just replace the regular orzo with a gluten-free, grain-free version.