Description
A Creamy Spinach Orzo Pasta recipe is a great way to use up fridge and pantry items. Serve this orzo pasta as a side dish, or to compliment your favorite protein. It’s a super quick and easy pasta recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 to 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 to 2 ladles pasta water, divided
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, divided
- 12 ounces fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Boil water for the pasta. Do not forget to salt the water.
- Drop the pasta.
- In a separate pan on medium heat, add the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper.
- Allow to cook for a minute or two before adding a ladle of the pasta water. Cook for another minute.
- Add the heavy whipping cream. Cook for another minute to start thickening.
- Season with black pepper.
- Whisk in about 1/3 cup of the cheese.
- Add the spinach to wilt.
- Add a touch more pasta water and another 1/3 cup of cheese. Cook another minute.
- Add the pasta directly from the pot with a slotted spoon.
- Season again with a touch more black pepper and crushed red pepper (optional)
- Mix.
- Check the sauce. Too thick? Add a touch more pasta water, and/or cream. Too thin, add small amount of cheese.
- Garnish with the remaining cheese.
- SERVE immediately and ENJOY!
Notes
SEE POST FOR TIPS AND NOTES!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving