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Bright and Creamy Cheesy Lemon Spinach Orzo

Bright and Creamy Cheesy Lemon Spinach Orzo for Comfort Food Bliss

Experience the vibrant flavors of Bright and Creamy Cheesy Lemon Spinach Orzo, a quick comfort food perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Orzo Base
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Use vegetable oil for a lighter taste.
  • 1 cup Onion Chopped; can substitute with shallots.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; can omit if preferred.
  • 1 cup Orzo Can substitute with quinoa for gluten-free.
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish.
  • ½ cup White Wine Can substitute with more broth.
For the Zesty Flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Fresh juice is best.
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest Zest the lemon before juicing.
For the Greens
  • 3 cups Baby Spinach Can substitute with kale or other greens.
For the Creamy Finish
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Can substitute with nutritional yeast.
  • ½ cup Feta Cheese Can omit for a lower-calorie version.

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Add 1 chopped onion to the pan, cooking for 3-4 minutes until it turns soft and translucent.
  3. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add 1 cup of orzo to the pot and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until it turns lightly golden.
  5. Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and ½ cup of white wine. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  6. Continue to simmer the orzo uncovered until it becomes tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 8-10 minutes.
  7. Stir in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 3 cups of baby spinach.
  8. Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese.
  9. Scoop the Bright and Creamy Cheesy Lemon Spinach Orzo into bowls while warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Pair with a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. Customize with your favorite veggies or proteins for endless variations.

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