Silky Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta

You’ve got to try our simple Silky Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta—it’s a game-changer! With a heavenly combo of silky parmesan and fresh spinach, this simple, rich dish is bound to become your new go-to!

What is orzo?

You are not alone if you have wondered, “Is orzo rice or pasta?” Orzo looks like a grain, but it is a type of semolina pasta! Given the small size of each individual piece of pasta, Italians would actually classify orzo as a pastina which means “small pasta.” Like we said, you are not alone in thinking orzo might be a grain. In fact, the name orzo directly translates to mean barley! This is because of how similar orzo and barley look.

This versatile pasta is typically made from a mix of whole wheat flour and semolina flour. However, some pasta-makers will use white flour or whole-grain flour as well. After making the pasta dough, it is then rolled out and punched into its traditional oblong shape.

Because it’s so small, orzo cooks pretty fast; 7-9 minutes will get you to a nice al dente (another Italian word — this one means that you’ll get a nice firm bite out of it).

ingredients for creamy orzo spinach pasta

What can I add to silky parmesan spinach orzo?

What we love most about this meal is how simple it is, but if you’re looking to spice things up in the kitchen and add a little more to the dish, there are a few options.

You could keep it vegetarian by adding more vegetables to the meal. Sautéed zucchini or yellow squash would be an excellent addition, especially during summer months when they’re in season. If you want to bulk up the protein in this recipe, ground beef is a wonderful compliment to orzo. That would turn this recipe into a heartier meal.

How to make parmesan spinach orzo

In a deep pot or dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt.
Add orzo pasta and cook for 7-9 minutes, until al-dente.
Drain orzo, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
Add drained orzo to a pan on medium heat.
Add cream cheese, garlic, spinach, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
Stir until the cheeses are melty and the orzo is all covered in silky sauce.
Serve and enjoy!

How to store leftovers of parmesan spinach orzo

Store any pasta in an airtight container in the fridge and it will keep for about three days. When reheating pasta, we recommend adding a tablespoon of water or chicken broth per serving. You can pop this in the microwave or you can reheat it in a small stock pot!

Common Questions about Silky Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta

Can you use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

You can absolutely use frozen spinach – just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all the excess water first. While fresh spinach gives you those nice, tender leaves, frozen spinach works great in a pinch and is often more economical. Just use about 1/3 the amount since frozen spinach is more concentrated.

How do you keep orzo from getting mushy?

The trick is to cook orzo just like any other pasta – in plenty of salted boiling water until it’s al dente. Keep an eye on it and test it frequently since it cooks quickly! Some people even like to toast the dry orzo in a bit of butter first, which adds memorable flavor and helps prevent it from becoming too soft.

Why is my parmesan sauce grainy?

Grainy sauce usually happens when the parmesan is added to too-hot liquid or when using pre-grated cheese with anti-caking agents. For super smooth sauce, remove the pan from heat before adding your freshly grated parmesan, and stir constantly while it melts. Using good quality, freshly grated parmesan makes a world of difference!

How do you prevent the cream sauce from splitting?

Keep your heat medium-low when making the sauce, and avoid letting it boil. Stirring constantly helps prevent splitting, and adding a little pasta water (thanks to its starch content) can help stabilize the sauce. If your sauce does start to split, try whisking in a splash of warm cream off the heat.

Other tasty pasta recipes to try

If you could even believe it, our One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pastais even easier to make than this parmesan spinach orzo. That’s because the pasta cooks together in one single pot!
Our One Pot Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pastais another simple, single-pan dish that packs in flavor without making a ton of dishes. It is an absolute must-try for the summer season!

What to serve this pasta dish with

Don’t get us wrong, we love our silky parmesan spinach orzo pasta. But sometimes, you need a little something extra to help balance out the heaviness of this silky pasta! Here are some lighter dishes to serve with it:

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 8 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins

This silky parmesan orzo pasta is made with less than 5 ingredients, it’s so silky and beyond tasty! Email

Ingredients

1 pound orzo pasta
1 cup reserved pasta water
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves grated garlic
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 teaspoon salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a deep pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. 1 teaspoon salt
Add orzo pasta and and cook for 7-9 minutes, until al-dente.1 pound orzo pasta
Drain orzo, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
Add drained orzo to a pan on medium heat.
Add cream cheese, garlic, spinach, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed.4 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 cloves grated garlic, 3 cups fresh baby spinach, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 cup reserved pasta water
Stir until the cheeses are melty and the orzo is all covered in silky sauce.
Serve and enjoy!