Description
A comforting, one-pot weeknight dinner featuring orzo pasta cooked in a creamy garlic sauce with wilted spinach and Parmesan cheese. Ready in about 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 10 oz (280g) orzo pasta
- 2 cups (480ml) chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3–4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil (for roasting garlic)
- Aluminum foil (for roasting garlic)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top 1/2 inch of the garlic head to expose cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, and bake for 30-35 minutes until soft. Alternatively, mince 6-8 cloves of fresh garlic.
- Heat butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. If using roasted garlic, squeeze cloves out of skins and mash into a paste; if using fresh, add minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add dry orzo to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes to toast slightly.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed into a creamy sauce.
- Toss in fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 30-60 seconds.
- Remove skillet from heat. Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
Roasting the garlic adds a sweet, nutty flavor and removes the sharp bite of raw garlic. If in a rush, use minced fresh garlic. Stir the orzo frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: one-pot dinner, creamy orzo, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, garlic spinach, vegetarian dinner, quick meals