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Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo Pasta | Magnolia Days

Have I mentioned green is my favorite color? I’m pretty sure I have and especially this time of year. March really kicks it off with the first day of spring and St. Patrick’s Day. I get so excited about it that my mind stays focused on green and cravings follow along. Rainy spring days prompt the desire for comfort food too. The combination of it all is why I made Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo.

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo Pasta | Magnolia Days

I spotted the recipe several weeks ago. Another stack of magazines had grown a little too big. It was time to go through them and get rid of the ones I really didn’t need. It’s amazing how a pile can get out of hand so quickly. Anyway, I saw spinach as I was flipping through the pages of a booklet. It caught my attention because it was a topper instead of a filler or a side.

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo Pasta | Magnolia Days

The base is creamy, cheesy pasta. Orzo is something I enjoy and yet not make it that often. I tend to use it more for soup than anything else. Coating it with a quick sauce of parmesan, cream, and egg sounded quite nice. The sauce is so simple it only takes minutes. All you have to do is whisk it together, add hot pasta, and stir. Then top the orzo with sautéed spinach and a sprinkling of pine nuts and you are done.

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo Pasta | Magnolia Days

Are you a fan of spinach? It seems most folks either really like it or not at all. There was absolutely, positively no way I would have eaten it as a kid. Although back then the only spinach I had was from a can. It was bitter and slimy and awful. Once I discovered fresh spinach it was all it took. Now I’ll have it often and in so many different ways. One way I haven’t tried it yet is in a smoothie. That’s a whole different story and I’ll save that one for another day.

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo Pasta

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo pasta is a quick and easy side dish. The sauce is made with parmesan cheese, egg, and cream. It's comfort with healthy on top.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and do not rinse.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together cheese, egg, and cream in a large bowl.
  3. Add cooked pasta to cheese mixture and stir to combine. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg and melt the cheese. Let sit while preparing spinach.
  4. In a deep saute pan or skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a couple of minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the oil has warmed. Do not brown the garlic or it will become bitter.
  5. Add spinach and toss frequently while cooking. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the spinach is completely wilted, it only takes a few minutes.
  6. Transfer orzo to a serving plate. Top with sauteed spinach. Garnish with pine nuts.

Recipe Notes

Spinach Topped Creamy Orzo pasta is a quick and easy side dish. The sauce is made with parmesan cheese, egg, and cream. It's comfort with healthy on top.

Recipe adapted from a Cuisine At Home recipe booklet (no issue date or number noted on the publication).

Recipe Rating




Amee

Thursday 9th of April 2015

This looks incredible Renee! Pinned to my side dishes board! Nom nom!!

David @ CookingChat

Thursday 9th of April 2015

looks great! Love orzo, especially when the weather starts getting warmer.

Linda @ 2 Cookin' Mamas

Thursday 9th of April 2015

This looks awesome! I too love spinach about any way you can fix it. And always add it to my smoothies. The nice part about that is you get your greens and with spinach's mild taste it doesn't interfere with the taste of the fruit. Thanks for the delicious recipe idea!