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–+ servings
A bowl of creamy spinach orzo, a delicious veggie side dish, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Parmesan and Spinach Orzo

This recipe for Parmesan and Spinach Orzo is a simple and flavorful vegetable side dish that is perfect for any meal. It's quick to make and can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orzo and Sauce
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • to taste Kosher salt
  • to taste freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Cast iron skillet
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Cook orzo pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain well.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
  4. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Stir in spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes.
  6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, about 1 minute.
  7. Stir in the cooked orzo. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  8. Serve immediately.

Notes

This orzo dish is a versatile side that pairs well with many main courses. You can also add other vegetables like peas or corn for extra color and flavor.

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