Spinach Parmesan Orzo Recipes

PARMESAN AND SPINACH ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onions and garlic until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir flour into onion mixture and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Gradually pour milk into onion mixture while constantly beating with a whisk until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Add spinach to sauce and cook until spinach is slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Mix Parmesan cheese into spinach sauce; cook and stir until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Fold orzo into spinach sauce and season with salt and pepper.

PARMESAN SPINACH ORZO

Steps:

• 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

SPINACH GARLIC PARMESAN ORZO WITH CRISPY BACON

Steps:

• Add bacon to a large skillet or pan and place over medium heat, cook bacon on both sides until crispy and golden brown. If the pan starts to smoke at any point, simply lower the heat. I always cook my bacon on medium low heat. Once bacon is done, blot with a paper towel to absorb excess grease, then chop into bite sized pieces and set aside.
• While the bacon is cooking, place a large pot of water over high heat and add in a generous amount of salt. Once water boils, stir in the orzo and cook until al dente about 7-9 minutes. Once orzo is done cooking, drain pasta and set aside in the colander. Make sure to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
• Next add 1 tablespoon butter to the same pot you cooked the pasta in and place over medium heat. Once butter is melted, add in minced garlic, carrot, corn, red bell pepper and saute for 2 minutes.
• Next add in spinach; cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Add the cooked orzo back into the pot and turn the heat to low. Stir in the reserved pasta water, parmesan, garlic powder and red chili pepper flakes.
• Finally, stir in bacon crumbles. Add salt and pepper to taste. I like to add A LOT of black pepper into this dish -- it just gives it a really nice flavor! If you think it needs a little extra parmesan cheese, feel free to stir in 1/4 cup more. Enjoy. Serves 4.

PARMESAN AND SPINACH ORZO PASTA

Steps:

• Add the olive oil to a large pan or Dutch oven and heat through.
• Once warm, add in the onions and the shallots. You want to continually be stirring these so they don't burn and begin softening.
• Add in garlic and continue to stir everything for about 1 minute.
• Make sure heat is on medium and add in the butter. Stir it in as it melts. This will begin to caramelize the onions and shallots so make sure to continue stirring. You don't want the butter to burn.
• Once the butter has fully melted and onions and shallots are beginning to caramelize, add in the orzo pasta and then your salt and pepper. Stir to lightly toast the pasta for about three minutes.
• Add in half of the chicken broth and set heat to mow to medium. Continue to stir every now and then so that the orzo doesn't burn on the bottom. Cook for 5 minutes. This is a great time to prep any protein you might be using.
• Add in the heavy cream and continue to stir occasionally. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Add in the rest of the broth and when to orzo begins to soak it up, add in the Parmesan and stir in until completely melted.
• Stir in the spinach and cook until it is limp.
• Serve immediately with your desired protein, the fresh thyme and parsley, extra Parmesan and additional salt and pepper.

SPINACH PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• In a wide saute pan, heat olive oil and add garlic, saute 1-2 minutes over medium heat until limp. Add roughly chopped spinach, salt and pepper, cover and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place spinach mixture in blender and puree until smooth. Reserve.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add orzo and stir gently. Cook 4-7 minutes checking occasionally. The pasta should be firm but cooked through. Coat a large flat pan with olive oil and have ready. Strain orzo through a large strainer shaking off excess water. Immediately spread hot pasta out on the tray for a minute or two to cool slightly and release as much steam from the orzo as possible. Toss orzo with spinach puree and grated cheese and serve immediately.