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CREAMY PARMESAN SPINACH ORZO centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Joe Rooney

Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Recipe in 20 Minutes

This Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo is a quick and comforting side dish that combines tender orzo pasta with a rich, cheesy spinach sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a delicious way to enjoy a creamy vegetarian meal packed with fresh flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 368
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the orzo until just tender, then drain and set aside.
  2. Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a medium pot.
  3. Add the chopped green onions and minced garlic to the oil, cooking for about a minute until the onions soften and the garlic releases its aroma.
  4. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, stirring well.
  5. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir continuously for about 30 seconds to eliminate any raw flour flavor.
  6. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and simmers gently, about 5 to 8 minutes.
  7. Mix the chopped spinach into the sauce, allowing it to wilt evenly.
  8. Blend in the shredded parmesan cheese, stirring until it completely melts and the sauce is silky smooth.
  9. Return the cooked orzo to the pot and stir until every grain is coated in the creamy sauce. Remove from heat and serve promptly.

Notes

  • Feel free to swap parmesan cheese with feta, goat cheese, white cheddar, fontina, brie, or havarti for a different flavor twist. You can replace spinach with kale or arugula or use frozen spinach if needed. For a heartier meal, consider adding chicken, shrimp, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or broccoli. Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer if too thin or thinning with a splash of milk if too thick. Green onions may be substituted with shallots, yellow onions, or white onions. Any pasta can be used instead of orzo, but larger shapes may require extra milk or cream to maintain creaminess. Strict vegetarians should look for parmesan without rennet.