This Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo is rich, cheesy, and easy to make with fresh spinach, garlic, parmesan, and a delicious homemade cream sauce. The perfect cozy side dish or simple dinner!
Welcome back to my blog, foodie friends! My name is Merry, and I love sharing easy and budget-friendly meals for your family to enjoy.
Side dishes can truly make or break a meal. If you’re looking for an easy side dish that feels a little extra special, this Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo is the answer. It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with fresh spinach… the best part? This cozy pasta dish comes together with simple ingredients and big flavor!
I love the fact that my Spinach Parmesan Orzo resembles risotto but so much easier to make. We love prepping it for busy weeknights and even holiday dinners.
What Can You Serve with Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo?
This dish pairs beautifully with mains like grilled chicken, steak, salmon, or roasted vegetables. It also works as a vegetarian main course when served with a side salad or crusty bread.
I particularly love serving mine with:
Is Orzo Pasta or Rice?
Even though it looks similar to rice, orzo is actually a small pasta. It cooks quickly and works beautifully in creamy dishes like this one because it absorbs flavor so well.
Can You Customize This Recipe?
Absolutely. Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or crispy bacon for extra flavor. You can also swap spinach for kale or stir in shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier meal.
What Ingredients do I Need to Make Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo?
Be sure to gather the following ingredients before making this delicious homemade orzo recipe. For the full measurements, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below:
- Orzo
- Butter
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Cooking cream
- Whole milk
- Fresh spinach
- Parmesan cheese
How do I Store Leftovers?
To store leftovers, all you have to do is store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When reheating, add a splash of milk to bring back the creamy texture, as the orzo will continue absorbing sauce as it sits.
How Do You Make Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo?
Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil and cooking 1½ cups orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
While the orzo cooks, heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp minced garlic along with salt and pepper to taste, sautéing until fragrant.
Sprinkle in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and stir for about a minute. Slowly whisk in ½ cup cooking cream until smooth, then add ½ cup whole milk. Continue whisking over low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
Add 1 cup chopped fresh spinach and cook for another 2 minutes, until wilted. Remove the pan from heat and stir in ½ cup parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Fold the cooked orzo into the sauce until fully combined. Serve warm with the remaining parmesan sprinkled on top, if desired.
Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo
This Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo is rich, cheesy, and easy to make with fresh spinach, garlic, parmesan, and a delicious homemade cream sauce. The perfect cozy side dish or simple dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp EVOO
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cooking cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1½ cups orzo
according to package directions. Drain and set aside. - While the orzo cooks, heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp extra
virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp minced garlic along with salt and pepper to taste, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. - Sprinkle in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux. Slowly pour in ½ cup cooking cream,
whisking until smooth and free of lumps. Add ½ cup whole milk and continue whisking over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken. - Stir in 1 cup chopped fresh spinach and cook for another 2 minutes, until wilted. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in ½ cup parmesan
cheese until melted and creamy. - Add the cooked orzo to the sauce and gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Serve warm and top with the remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese, if desired.
Pin or bookmark this Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo recipe so you always have an easy, crowd-pleasing comfort food recipe on hand. Tried it? Let us know what you served it with in the comments!
