You’ve got to try our easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta—it’s a game-changer! With a heavenly combo of creamy parmesan and fresh spinach, this simple, rich dish is bound to become your new favorite!
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What is orzo?
You are not alone if you have wondered, “Is orzo rice or pasta?” Orzo looks like a grain, but it is a type of semolina pasta! Given the small size of each individual piece of pasta, Italians would actually classify orzo as a pastina which means “small pasta.” Like we said, you are not alone in thinking orzo might be a grain. In fact, the name orzo directly translates to mean barley! This is because of how similar orzo and barley look.
This versatile pasta is typically made from a mix of whole wheat flour and semolina flour. However, some pasta-makers will use white flour or whole-grain flour as well. After making the pasta dough, it is then rolled out and punched into its traditional oblong shape.
Because it’s so small, orzo cooks pretty fast; 7-9 minutes will get you to a nice al dente (another Italian word — this one means that you’ll get a nice firm bite out of it).
What can I add to creamy parmesan spinach orzo?
What we love most about this meal is how simple it is, but if you’re looking to spice things up in the kitchen and add a little more to the dish, there are a few options.
You could keep it vegetarian by adding more vegetables to the meal. Sautéed zucchini or yellow squash would be an excellent addition, especially during summer months when they’re in season. If you want to bulk up the protein in this recipe, ground beef is a wonderful compliment to orzo. That would turn this recipe into a heartier meal.
How to make parmesan spinach orzo
- In a deep pot or dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt.
- Add orzo pasta and cook for 7-9 minutes, until al-dente.
- Drain orzo, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
- Add drained orzo to a pan on medium heat.
- Add cream cheese, garlic, spinach, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir until the cheeses are melty and the orzo is all covered in creamy sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to store leftovers of parmesan spinach orzo
Store any pasta in an airtight container in the fridge and it will keep for about three days. When reheating pasta, we recommend adding a tablespoon of water or chicken broth per serving. You can pop this in the microwave or you can reheat it in a small stock pot!
Common Questions about Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta
You can absolutely use frozen spinach – just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all the excess water first. While fresh spinach gives you those nice, tender leaves, frozen spinach works great in a pinch and is often more economical. Just use about 1/3 the amount since frozen spinach is more concentrated.
The trick is to cook orzo just like any other pasta – in plenty of salted boiling water until it’s al dente. Keep an eye on it and test it frequently since it cooks quickly! Some people even like to toast the dry orzo in a bit of butter first, which adds amazing flavor and helps prevent it from becoming too soft.
Grainy sauce usually happens when the parmesan is added to too-hot liquid or when using pre-grated cheese with anti-caking agents. For super smooth sauce, remove the pan from heat before adding your freshly grated parmesan, and stir constantly while it melts. Using good quality, freshly grated parmesan makes a world of difference!
Keep your heat medium-low when making the sauce, and avoid letting it boil. Stirring constantly helps prevent splitting, and adding a little pasta water (thanks to its starch content) can help stabilize the sauce. If your sauce does start to split, try whisking in a splash of warm cream off the heat.
Other delicious pasta recipes to try
- If you could even believe it, our One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pasta is even easier to make than this parmesan spinach orzo. That’s because the pasta cooks together in one single pot!
- Our One Pot Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta is another simple, single-pan dish that packs in flavor without making a ton of dishes. It is an absolute must-try for the summer season!
What to serve this pasta dish with
Don’t get us wrong, we love our creamy parmesan spinach orzo pasta. But sometimes, you need a little something extra to help balance out the heaviness of this creamy pasta! Here are some lighter dishes to serve with it:
Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves grated garlic
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a deep pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt.1 teaspoon salt
- Add orzo pasta and and cook for 7-9 minutes, until al-dente.1 pound orzo pasta
- Drain orzo, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
- Add drained orzo to a pan on medium heat.
- Add cream cheese, garlic, spinach, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed.4 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 cloves grated garlic, 3 cups fresh baby spinach, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Stir until the cheeses are melty and the orzo is all covered in creamy sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Nutrition
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Fantastic! I saw the recipe realized that I had all these ingredients so I made it tonight. So easy and fast! I used a similar pasta and added vegan sausages and 1/4 cup of ricotta, cause it was taking up room in my fridge. Great recipe and I’ll be making it again. Thanks!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Karin! Thank you for trying it out. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This might’ve been one of my first food dolls recipes to try and oh my goodness it was delicious.
I love having a video to follow along!
Thank you, Marise!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Quick, easy, and delicious! Thanks for helping this cooking novice trick a man into thinking she can cook!
You can definitely cook! Thanks for giving it a try! 🙂
Easy to prepare, creamy and delicious. I rarely eat spinach, but it tastes great in combination with the orzo and cheese.
Greetings from Belgium!
Thank you, Katya! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
hi ladies I made the orzo pasta. It’s very bland.
I added some dried basil and tomatoes. could you please suggest something for flavor.
Thank you
Sorry you didn’t love it! You could add extra veggies, garlic, onion powder, or any seasonings you like best.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa