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Parmesan Spinach Orzo – quick and easy side dish

June 26, 2017 by Edyta 14 Comments

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Edyta
Author at Eating European
Recipe developer, photographer and the writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes
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Latest posts by Edyta (see all)
  • Borscht (Barszcz Czerwony) – Authentic Polish Recipe - December 19, 2022
  • Authentic Polish Pierogi with Potatoes and Cheese (Pierogi Ruskie) - December 8, 2022
  • Mushroom Pierogi “Uszka” for Borscht - December 3, 2022

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it’s ready in 15 minutes. This is a perfect recipe for a busy weeknight dinner.

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.Parmesan Spinach Orzo is my newest obsession. It’s so easy to make and it’s packed with flavor. I literally think that whomever invented Parmesan Cheese was an absolute genius. And then whomever decided to pair it with pasta managed to elevate the genius game.

It’s just tastes so amazing! The cheese sticks to the pasta creating a nice, nutty, coating on each individual pasta piece. The addition of spinach, onion and black pepper adds depth and complexity to the tastes in this simple Parmesan Spinach Orzo dish.

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.

We’ve eaten this few times within the past week. I just couldn’t help myself. One of those times I demoed it was when we had guests over and (go figure) they loved it. We devoured it, and then the next day I needed to cook another batch to satisfy my husbands insatiable craving. I know, I’m kinda blaming him for this repeat, but admittedly I wanted it as much as he did. Do I really need to say more?

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.

I got inspiration for this Parmesan Spinach Orzo dish from my Greek Spinach Rice with Feta. I basically started it the same way:

  • Sauté some onions;
  • Then wilt the spinach with it;
  • Then add the orzo to get coated in the cooking oil. Here’s the difference, I added orzo instead of spinach;
  • Then add stock, and let the pasta absorb all of the liquid;
  • Now add the Parmesan cheese and stir it;
  • For my Greek Spinach Rice dish I chose to add dill, lemon juice and feta cheese after the dish was cooked – to really distinguish it, but the concept is similar (but Parmesan Spinach Orzo cooks way faster);
  • Finally, add salt and fresh pepper and your quick and easy side dish is ready.

It takes 15 minutes from start to finish to cook this Parmesan Spinach Orzo dish. The pasta is so small that it literally cooks in about 8 minutes. This is a perfect side dish for a busy weeknight meal.

I would say that probably the hardest work you’ll have here is chopping the onions. I know some people may not like doing it, but the onions really add an extra aromatic in this dish. Cooked onions are sweet and they compliment the parmesan perfectly here.

But if you really want to skip the onion, the omission wouldn’t spoil the dish. Parmesan and black pepper will pull up the slack; like in these two amazing dishes: Cacio e Pepe Zucchini Noodles and Parmesan Crusted Zucchini with lemon zest, thyme and pepper.

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish that can pair beautiful with most meats, look no further. This Parmesan Spinach Orzo will be your next best thing to make and to eat. Enjoy!

BTW I found information on Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiana Reggiano) on Wikipedia very interesting.

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.

Parmesan Spinach Orzo

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes. This is a perfect recipe for a busy weeknight dinner.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 1 onion yellow, medium, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 cups Spinach
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta
  • 2 cups stock vegetarian or chicken
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large saute pan heat up olive oil, add, chopped onions and cook until translucent; 3-4 minutes;
  • Add spinach and cook until wilted, for about another 2 minutes;
  • Add pasta and stir to coat it all with olive oil, onion and spinach mixture;
  • Add stock, cover the pan and cook according for about 8 minutes until the pasta is cooked through;
  • Turn off the heat, add cheese and black pepper, stir and taste. If needed add some salt. Serve immediately

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Parmesan Spinach Orzo
Amount Per Serving
Calories 239 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 685mg30%
Potassium 218mg6%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 1755IU35%
Vitamin C 6.3mg8%
Calcium 177mg18%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 685mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1755IU | Vitamin C: 6.3mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Tried this recipe?Show me @eatingeuropean or tag #eatingeuropean!

Parmesan Spinach Orzo can serve as a super quick and flavorful side dish, or a vegetarian entree. It contains only 4 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes.

You can pair this Parmesan Spinach Orzo with these wonderful dishes:

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Brown Sugar Pork Chops with Garlic and Herbs are as delicious as they sound. The sweet brown sugar sauce is perfectly balanced by garlic and dried herbs like thyme and oregano. Juicy pork chops dish that comes together in no time.

Slow Cooker Whole Roasted Chicken

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Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt sauce are packed with flavor. Marinated in Mediterranean spices, garlic and lemon, grilled to perfection and topped with cooling garlic yogurt sauce these chicken skewers are real winners.

Dijon and Mayer Lemon Chicken

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Filed Under: Ethnic Recipes, European Recipes, Italian, Quick and Easy Meals, Side dish, Vegetarian Tagged With: orzo, parmesan, pasta, spinach

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Next Post: Greek Frappe Coffee – fluffy & chilled coffee goodness. »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monica | Nourish & Fete

    June 27, 2017 at 8:27 am

    This looks fantastic! My husband loves orzo, and I love incorporating some spinach to help us eat more greens. Adding this to the menu ASAP!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 27, 2017 at 8:55 am

      Thanks Monica!

      Reply
  2. Iman

    June 27, 2017 at 10:25 am

    Yum!! Looks like a perfect side dish, gonna pin this for later!!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 27, 2017 at 10:51 am

      Thanks Iman

      Reply
  3. Denise Wright

    June 27, 2017 at 10:38 am

    With spinach and parmesan, it has to be delicious! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 27, 2017 at 10:52 am

      Thanks Denise

      Reply
  4. Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

    June 27, 2017 at 11:05 am

    So super easy! I bet this taste great alongside nearly everything! YUM!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 27, 2017 at 11:25 am

      Thanks Jenn

      Reply
  5. Sarah Newman

    June 27, 2017 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    oooh YUMMY!!! I’m loving this… I can already taste its deliciousness. 😉

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 27, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Thanks Sarah!

      Reply
  6. Suzy

    June 28, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I always have orzo on hand! This is a great way to use it!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 28, 2017 at 9:19 am

      Thanks so much Suzy! So glad to see you stop by here 🙂

      Reply
  7. Simon

    June 29, 2017 at 6:01 am

    So yummy, looks like our Kenyan chips.

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 29, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Thanks Simon!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Edyta. I’m a recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes. I consider myself a home chef with a cultivated passion for amazing food.
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Hi, I'm Edyta. I’m a recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes. I consider myself a home chef with a cultivated passion for amazing food.
I’m also a reformed New York State attorney, who practiced for several years only to thereafter decide that this was my real passion. Maybe one day I decided to step back to the courtroom, but in the meantime I’m enjoying spending my time with my kids, my husband, my kitchen and YOU! Read More…

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