Description
A comforting dish of orzo pasta in a rich, creamy spinach and Parmesan sauce, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2–3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in a pot of salted water according to package instructions (8-10 minutes), then drain and reserve some pasta water.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, gradually adding Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Fold in the cooked orzo, mixing until evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, finishing with a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper.
Notes
For additional flavors, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, chicken, or shrimp. Use fresh grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: orzo, creamy pasta, spinach, parmesan, family recipe, comfort food