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CREAMY PARMESAN SPINACH ORZO centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Yesica Andrews

Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Recipe You Need Now

This Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo is a quick and comforting side dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Bursting with fresh spinach and rich parmesan, it's a creamy pasta recipe that comes together effortlessly and pleases any crowd.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 368
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped (about ¼ cup)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 ¾ cup milk
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo until it is tender but still firm. Drain and set it aside.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the chopped green onions and garlic to the oil and cook for about one minute, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and the garlic releases its aroma.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and stir everything together.
  5. Sprinkle in the flour and stir thoroughly, letting it cook for about half a minute to remove the raw taste.
  6. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and gently simmers, about 5 to 8 minutes.
  7. Fold in the chopped spinach and mix well to combine with the sauce.
  8. Stir in the parmesan cheese until it melts fully and forms a creamy sauce.
  9. Add the cooked orzo back into the pot and toss gently to coat the pasta completely with the sauce. Remove from heat and serve straight away.

Notes

  • Feel free to substitute or add other cheeses such as feta, goat cheese, white cheddar, fontina, brie, or havarti. Swap in kale or arugula for the spinach or use frozen spinach if fresh isn’t available. To make the dish heartier, consider adding chicken, shrimp, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, or any other veggies on hand. If your sauce feels too thin, simmer a bit longer; if it’s too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up. You can replace green onions with shallots, yellow, or white onions if preferred. No orzo? Any pasta of your choice works, just adjust milk or cream as needed for larger shapes. Strict vegetarians should ensure parmesan cheese is rennet-free. This recipe was last updated in April 2020.