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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Toast Orzo: Introduce orzo to the pan, stirring constantly to coat each grain with the garlic-infused oil and achieve a light golden hue.
- 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.
- Incorporate Greens: When orzo reaches a creamy consistency, fold in fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt and blend seamlessly with the pasta.
- 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.
- 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