Description
A quick, creamy, and garlicky weeknight dinner that cooks entirely in one pot. This forgiving recipe uses pantry staples to create a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3–4 cups fresh spinach, packed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mince garlic and grate Parmesan cheese. Measure broth and cream.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt until foaming.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, but not brown.
- Add dry orzo to the skillet. Stir and toast for 1-2 minutes until nutty.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Add Italian seasoning and a pinch of black pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Once orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed, add fresh spinach. Stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.’, ‘Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess.’, ‘Orzo continues to cook after removing from heat; take it off when slightly underdone.’, ‘Sauce will thicken in the fridge; add milk or broth when reheating.’, ‘This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: one-pot meal, creamy orzo, garlic parmesan, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, spinach pasta, family friendly