This creamy garlic spinach orzo is a comforting and easy to make side dish that comes together fast and will have everyone asking for seconds!
Creamy orzo is my new favorite side dish. The way I make it is sorta similar to how you'd make risotto, but it's quicker and a bit easier since we're not adding the broth bit by bit. One pot, no fuss, done and done.
I added some parmesan cheese to this orzo with spinach dish since pretty much any creamy recipe can be enhanced by parmesan cheese, amirite? Straight out of the Salt & Lavender playbook.
I suppose you could eat this creamy spinach parmesan orzo as a meatless main course if you wanted to, but I'd then definitely serve it with something like a side salad to lighten the meal up a bit overall.
You may also like my Creamed Spinach (with Frozen or Fresh Spinach!).
Recipe notes & tips:
- While you're cooking this recipe, you may think to yourself "there's way too much liquid", but I promise it all gets absorbed as the orzo cooks and it releases starch.
- I know I'll get questions on whether rice can be substituted for the orzo since it looks similar (even though one is pasta and one is not). My answer is "it depends" and "you may need to adjust liquid measurements and do some testing". Rice typically takes a lot longer to cook.
- You can use frozen spinach if you thaw it and squeeze the water out really well, but fresh spinach is probably your best bet.
- I think a bit of lemon zest would be delicious in here.
- If you don't have any heavy cream, try half-and-half instead.
What to serve with creamy garlic spinach orzo?
Try the Easiest Baked Chicken Thighs, a roast (try my Skillet Roasted Chicken), steak, or any main course really. 😛
More amazing orzo recipes to try:
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Lemon Orzo Salad with Chicken
- Lemon Chicken Orzo (One Pot Pasta)
I hope you will love this creamy spinach orzo recipe as much as I do! Questions? Ask me in the comments below.
Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often (this infuses the orzo with more flavor and toasts it a bit).
- Stir in the chicken broth and cream. Once it starts to bubble, continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring fairly often. You will likely need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). You want it to gently bubble vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
- Take the pot off the heat, stir in the parmesan and spinach, and cover the pot for 3-5 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. The orzo will absorb the liquid quickly, so if it still seems like there's too much liquid, just wait a little bit longer. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
Notes
- Orzo is pasta. If you want to make this with rice, you may have to adjust liquid measurements and cooking time (it would be a different recipe).
- Feel free to leave the spinach out if it's not your thing or you don't have any. I just add it for a bit of color and texture and to make it a bit more nutritious.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Zue307 says
I am making this for lunch now. Instead of orzo and spinach, I used macaroni, broccoli and shredded chicken. The sauce is superb! Thank you very much, Natasha.. 💗💗
Natasha says
Enjoy!! 🙂 You're welcome!
Tracy says
Delicious! Served with fish and asparagus. My kids(5 and 7) even loved it, they said it tastes like white sauce 😂
Natasha says
Hahaha that's great!! I'm so happy it was a hit. 🙂
Kim R says
First of all every recipe I have made from your blog has been a hit. My family appreciates you! I want to make this as a side for Christmas dinner can I make ahead of time? Thanks
Natasha says
Aww that's great!! You're welcome. I think this one should be fine to make ahead of time. I'd warm it on a low heat. You may need to add a little more cream or even a splash of chicken or veg broth when reheating, though.
Lily says
This was so good! Even my husband who doesn’t like creamy meals loved it! I love all your creamy recipes so I knew I was going to like it lol thanks for al your recipes!
Natasha says
That makes me so happy!! 🙂 You're very welcome, Lily!
Mary says
Never have heavy cream in the fridge... substitute milk ???
Natasha says
Hi Mary! Sub at your own discretion. It may curdle and/or end up too watery. It won't be as rich/creamy, but it could work out (I have not tested it with milk). Let me know if you do end up trying! 🙂
Gloria Young says
Can I use a substitute for the cream?
Natasha says
You could try half-and-half.
Shameem says
Can this be made with oats or quinoa? 🤔
Natasha says
Hi! I honestly have no idea. The liquid measurements would be different, and so would cooking time. You'd have to do some experimenting. Let me know if you try!
Jessica M says
I saw this on your Instagram and I knew I had most of the ingredients on hand. It was a perfect comfort-y side dish for a chilly night. I omitted the butter and reduced the oil to made it a tad lighter. Also used whole wheat orzo and whole milk as it’s what I had on hand. I also got to use some leftover veggie broth from Thanksgiving. It turned out delicious and was a perfect side dish to lemon garlic salmon. I’ll definitely make this again!
Natasha says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Andrea Crosby says
Ok so I never leave reviews
Don’t really know why but I’m here to
Tell you all that this is truly yummy!!
I loved it and it was simple to make
I will say I tried it exactly as is and loved it. I then tried it exactly but added a little lemon zest and juice
Kinda digging that as well.
Excellent recipe that I will add protein to and some toasted pine nuts for a main dish next time
Super excited to have a new go to.
Natasha says
I'm so happy to hear that!! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to write me a review!
camille says
loved this! so easy to cook and the flavors are great. I added roasted tomatoes and shrimp to it. Might do portabella mushrooms next time. thanks!!!
Natasha says
You're welcome! 🙂
Stephanie says
Really want to try making this! It looks delicious. What other pasta could you use as a substitute if you don’t have orzo?
Natasha says
Macaroni or ditalini maybe? But then the liquid ratios might be a little off since this recipe is designed for orzo. Let me know if you do try experimenting! 🙂
Kristin says
Absolutely delicious. Super easy to make and what a great return! Smelled and tasted heavenly. I don't normally leave comments but this was excellent. Hubby super happy. Too adult a taste for my kiddos sadly ( or maybe the wilted spinach was the turnoff) but I kept going back till leftovers were gone. I used half and half and a nice parmesan and we had with marinades ribeyes on the grill...yum!
Thank you for this new favorite!
Natasha says
I am so happy that you enjoyed it! And I really appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment... it really helps us recipe bloggers out! 🙂
Kristin Kossack says
My pleasure! Keep up the good work! Wishes for a safe and wonderful holiday to you and yours! Thank you again😁
Natasha says
XOXO
AngelaML says
I cannot believe no one else has commented already on this so delicious recipe! So good!!!
My favorite dish at our Italian local place is the Chicken/Spinach/Tomato Risotto. So I was immediately intrigued with your version, which uses orzo instead of the rice. I tried to duplicate the dish, so added 2 cups of cooked chicken and fresh diced tomatoes. (I do not like sun dried tomatoes). I was going for a one pot meal. And we loved the results!
I also would add more garlic and the Italian seasoning, just my preference.
Thank you so much Natasha for your easy and quick recipes. They are definitely helping me get through this pandemic with providing great tasting and easy to prepare meals. Something I can control.
Natasha says
I'm so happy you liked it, Angela! 🙂 Thanks for commenting, and you're very welcome.