Cozy Hearty Ricotta Spinach Orzo Recipe for Cold Evenings

Creamy ricotta spinach orzo bursts with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

This comforting pasta dish combines smooth cheese and tender greens in a delightful culinary embrace.

Orzo, the tiny rice-shaped pasta, serves as the perfect canvas for rich, velvety ingredients.

Herbs and spices weave through each bite, creating layers of incredible taste.

The recipe promises a quick and satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly.

Weeknight dinners never looked so elegant or felt so nourishing.

Prepare to savor every forkful of this irresistible comfort classic.

What Goes Into One-Pan Ricotta Spinach Orzo

• Olive Oil or Butter: Provides a rich, golden foundation for sautéing and adds luxurious depth to the dish's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Unleashes a pungent, warming essence that elevates the entire recipe with its classic Mediterranean charm.

• Ricotta Cheese: Brings silky smoothness and mild, delicate protein that melts into a luscious sauce.
• Spinach: Delivers vibrant green nutrition, tender texture, and earthy undertones that complement the creamy base.

• Orzo: Acts as the perfect pasta canvas, offering a delightful rice-like shape that soaks up flavors beautifully.
• Salt and Pepper: Balances and awakens the overall taste, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned.

Tools That Help You Keep It All in One Pot

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking the entire dish in one pan, perfect for easy cleanup.
• Sharp knife: Helps mince garlic and chop spinach quickly and precisely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring orzo and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate amounts of orzo and liquid for perfect consistency.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of seasonings and garlic.

How to Make Ricotta Spinach Orzo

• Warm the Skillet

Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a deliciously inviting cooking surface.

• Release Garlic Aroma

Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around the pan, releasing its magical fragrance for about 30 seconds.

• Add Orzo Magic

Pour orzo into the skillet and stir continuously, allowing each grain to toast and become golden, soaking up the garlic-infused oil.

• Pour in Liquid Gold

Slowly introduce chicken or vegetable broth, creating a steamy environment that will help the orzo become tender and luxurious.

• Simmer and Transform

Cover the skillet and let the orzo gently simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until the liquid is almost absorbed.

• Fold in Green Goodness

Generously add fresh spinach leaves, watching them wilt and meld into the creamy mixture, bringing vibrant color and nutrition.

• Creamy Ricotta Finale

Remove from heat and stir in rich, smooth ricotta cheese, creating a velvety texture that coats every single orzo grain.

• Season and Serve

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and optional parmesan, then plate your one-pan wonder that’s bursting with flavor and comfort.

Ways to Boost Flavor in This Comfort-Forward Dish

• Garlic Intensity Boost: Swap raw garlic for roasted garlic to deepen the flavor profile and add a subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace ricotta with cashew cream or silken tofu for a vegan-friendly version that maintains a creamy texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Fold in cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying meal.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunch that contrasts with the creamy orzo texture.
• Seasonal Veggie Swap: Experiment with different leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard, or add roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini or asparagus for variety.

Serve With Chicken, Shrimp, or Solo

• Gourmet Plate Presentation: Serve this creamy orzo on elegant white plates, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and a light sprinkle of cracked black pepper for a restaurant-quality look.
• Comforting Family Meal: Pair the orzo with a simple grilled chicken breast or roasted salmon to create a complete, satisfying dinner that everyone will love.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side: Complement the dish with a crisp Greek salad or warm, crusty bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining orzo in an airtight container for a quick lunch the next day, as the flavors will continue to develop and become even more delicious overnight.

Store for Cozy Lunches Later On

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the orzo fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Magic: Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, where it maintains quality for up to 2 months, ensuring a delicious backup meal.
• Reheating Wisdom: Gently warm in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy texture and prevent dryness.
• Ingredient Freshness Tip: Use fresh spinach and high-quality ricotta within their expiration dates to maximize flavor and food safety, rotating ingredients regularly in your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Hearty Ricotta Spinach Orzo Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

One-pan creamy ricotta spinach orzo delivers Mediterranean comfort with Italian-inspired simplicity. Cheesy pasta combines tender spinach and rich ricotta for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) orzo pasta
• 2 ½ cups (600 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 3 cups (85 g) fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk or heavy cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil or butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Warm olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then gently toast minced garlic until fragrant, releasing its rich essence.
2. Toast Orzo: Introduce orzo to the pan, stirring constantly to coat each grain with the garlic-infused oil and achieve a light golden hue.
3. Simmer and Cook: Pour broth into the skillet, cover, and reduce heat, allowing orzo to absorb liquid and become tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Incorporate Greens: When orzo reaches a creamy consistency, fold in fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt and blend seamlessly with the pasta.
5. Finish and Enrich: Remove from heat, gently fold in ricotta cheese until it creates a silky, luxurious coating, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Elevate and Serve: Optionally, crown the dish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan and fresh herbs like basil or parsley to add a vibrant, aromatic final touch.

Notes

• Adjust Liquid Ratio: Monitor broth absorption carefully, as orzo can quickly become too dry or soggy; start with slightly less liquid and add more if needed to achieve perfect creamy consistency.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select crisp, vibrant spinach leaves and high-quality ricotta cheese to elevate the dish’s overall flavor and texture, ensuring maximum taste and nutritional value.
• Control Heat Intensity: Maintain medium-low heat during cooking to prevent orzo from burning or sticking, allowing gentle, even cooking that preserves the delicate texture and prevents scorching.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt the recipe for vegetarian diets by using vegetable broth, or make it gluten-free by substituting orzo with quinoa or cauliflower rice for alternative grain options.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg