This garlic parmesan orzo with spinach recipe is legit going to be on rotation in your household, and if you are yet to try orzo pasta aka pasta rice, now is the time. With only a handful of pantry and fridge staple ingredients, your meatless dinner is ready before you can say parmesan orzo. I love pasta recipes that are simple and straightforward to make like this Boursin pasta, creamy chicken cajun pasta, or this pink sauce pasta. This homemade parmesan orzo recipe only requires a few steps to make and it is perfect for a busy weeknight. Talking about meatless, to make this dish a complete meatless meal, you can stir in some mushrooms, asparagus tips, peas, or any other type of veg you desired. This recipe is a great way to use leftover proteins in your fridges such as chicken, salmon, shrimp, and many more.
What is orzo?
Orzo is a type of pasta, made from wheat flour and shaped into a small flat oval shape, similar to rice, it is also known as ‘risoni’ and can be made whole grain or regular (with flour). Chicken stock (4 cups)substitute with chicken broth Freshly grated parmesan cheese Butter: this can be salted or unsalted substitute with olive oil Fresh Garlic cloves; substitute with garlic powder or garlic granules. Fresh baby spinach: substitute with frozen spinach, make sure it is completely thawed. Heavy cream Parsley Salt and black pepper Add orzo pasta, stir continuously to toast for about 1-2 minutes, stir in chicken stocks, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley, cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to simmer stirring occasionally until the orzo is aldente and the liquid absorbed. Stir in the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, and stir until combined and the cheese melted. Add fresh baby spinach and stir into the creamy orzo until just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately or while it is still warm. Enjoy! To reheat: simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, add a splash of water or milk to aid reheating.
Watch how to make it
The word “orzo,” in Italy, refers to barley grains and looks like rice but it does cook faster than rice. It has a similar look to risotto when cooked and It is served as a main dish or side dish, it can be added to soups, salads, stews, and casseroles. You can cook orzo and use it the same way you use pasta in recipes.
How long to cook orzo pasta
Cooking orzo pasta takes about 7- 10 minutes. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the orzo, the brand of pasta used, and the method of cooking.
How much orzo per person
This will depend on who are feeding the pasta or cooking for. An average person would eat between 75-100g depending on their appetite.
Can I substitute parmesan cheese with other cheeses
Yes, you can substitute parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) for other types of cheeses that you desire. For example, Asiago cheese or Grandano panado is closely related to parmesan cheese and can be substituted 1:1. You can also mix different types of cheese or make a blend as well.
I don’t have heavy cream, can I use milk
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with whole milk in this recipe. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid you add later to your orzo dish. You can also use fat-free, half and half, or sour cream? Simply adjust the liquid ratio so that the pasta is not dry and based on how creamy you want it.
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Creamy ground beef pasta Canned tuna pasta Broccoli pasta Creamy roasted red pepper pasta Vegetable pasta bake Spinach and ricotta pasta Creamy shrimp pasta salad Did you try this easy orzo pasta recipe? Don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
