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Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Recipe You Need Now

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This Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo is a simple and quick dish that combines tender orzo pasta with fresh spinach and a rich parmesan sauce. Perfect for a tasty vegetarian side or light dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 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

Instructions

  1. Boil orzo in heavily salted water until it is just tender, then drain and keep aside.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the chopped green onions and minced garlic into the pot and cook while stirring occasionally until the onions soften and the garlic releases aroma, about a minute.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
  5. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for around 30 seconds to cook off the raw flavor.
  6. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps, then cook the mixture, stirring sometimes, until it thickens and barely simmers, roughly 5 to 8 minutes.
  7. Stir in the chopped spinach until it is incorporated evenly.
  8. Mix in the parmesan until it melts and creates a smooth sauce.
  9. Combine the cooked orzo with the sauce and toss well, then turn off the heat and serve right away.

Notes

  • Additions and Substitutions
  • Use feta goat cheese white cheddar fontina brie or havarti in place of or in addition to the parmesan here
  • Swap kale or arugula for the spinach if you prefer or use frozen spinach
  • Add chicken shrimp sausage sautéed mushrooms broccoli or any other veggies you have on hand to this orzo to make it a little heartier
  • For thicker sauce cook a few minutes longer
  • Too thick add milk to thin
  • Use shallots yellow onions or white onions instead of green onions if desired
  • No orzo use other pasta types adjusting milk amount as needed
  • Strict vegetarians should find parmesan made without rennet

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/creamy-parmesan-spinach-orzo/