Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo
This creamy garlic spinach orzo one of the best easy weeknight meals! You can make this flavorful pasta dish in just 20 minutes and it makes for great leftovers for days. This is the ultimate comforting orzo dish that you will want to make over and over!
What you’ll love about this:
Ingredients
- Orzo – You need 1.5 cups of orzo for this pasta dish
- Onion – You need one medium yellow or white onion for this recipe.
- Parmesan – I use a vegan shredded parmesan, but use whichever version you prefer
- Non-dairy milk – Use an unsweetened non-dairy milk like soy or almond.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
How to Make Creamy Spinach Orzo
Cook onion & garlic
In a large saucepan, begin warming you olive oil over medium heat. Add you diced onion and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion is softened.
Cook orzo
Add you orzo and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil for 1 minute then turn down to simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Taste orzo at the end to make sure it’s cooked through.
Simmer and Stir
Turn heat up to medium. Stir in your dried oregano, salt, milk, spinach, parmesan, and chickpeas. Stir continuously for a few minutes to thicken your dish. Cover for a few minutes to simmer and let flavors meld together.
Serve
Serve right away. Top with fresh thyme leaves and/or parmesan cheese.
How to store spinach orzo
Let it cool and then store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop. The recipe can sometimes thicken up a bit, so feel free to add more milk if needed to regain that creamy texture.
Can I add other veggies to this spinach orzo?
Most definitely! This dish would be delicious with some broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, and so much more!
Is orzo different from rice?
Yes, orzo is technically a pasta but it has a similar shape to rice. When cooked in a creamy sauce, it tastes similar to risotto.
Pro Tips
- Make sure to stir continuously when you add your milk and other ingredients. This combines with the starch from the pasta and creates a super creamy, delish sauce!
- You can add more spinach or other veggies to this dish if you desire!
More Quick Recipes
Short on time? Try these 15 minute recipes!
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Creamy Spinach Orzo
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Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium diced onion yellow or white
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt add more to taste
- 3/4 cup non-dairy milk unsweetened
- 3 cups spinach
- 1/3 cup shredded or grated parmesan choose a df version if vegan
- 15 oz can chickpeas drained and rinsed
Toppings
- fresh thyme leaves
- extra parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, begin warming you olive oil over medium heat. Add you diced onion and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion is softened.1 tbsp olive oil, 1 medium diced onion, 4 cloves minced garlic
- Add you orzo and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil for 1 minute then turn down to simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Taste orzo at the end to make sure it's cooked through.1.5 cups orzo, 3 cups vegetable broth
- Turn heat up to medium. Stir in your dried oregano, salt, milk, spinach, parmesan, and chickpeas. Stir continuously for a few minutes to thicken your dish. Cover for a few minutes to simmer and let flavors meld together.1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup non-dairy milk, 3 cups spinach, 1/3 cup shredded or grated parmesan, 15 oz can chickpeas
- Serve right away. Top with fresh thyme leaves and/or parmesan cheese.
This orzo is SO GOOD! Super easy to make too
So easy to make and absolutely delicious!!!😋😋😋thank you! Will make again and again💖
Thanks Angela! Glad you enjoyed – it’s one of my favorites too!
This was SO yum, filling and took so little time. A recipe I will definitely be making again 10/10
Thanks Kayla! Yes I love that it’s so quick!!
Super creamy and delicious!
This recipe was delicious and easy to make! My husband kept going for seconds! I did add mushrooms and half a container of plant-based Bousin Garlic & Herb cheese. I plan to make this again and again!
I love these ideas! That cheese is incredible and I’ll have to try it in this recipe! Thanks for your review Jennifer 🙂
Great!
Loved it and easy!
My cheese seized up a bit and wonder if I needed room temp milk. I used grated Parmesan.
I also added lemon juice and basil.