Description
This Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Orzo is a simple yet elegant dish bursting with flavor. Tender orzo is tossed with garlicky sautéed spinach and finished with a bright touch of lemon and optional Parmesan. It’s light, fresh, and comforting all at once perfect as a side dish or a quick vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook according to package instructions (about 8–10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden—do not let it burn.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring until wilted and tender.
- Stir in the cooked orzo. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Optional: Top with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
Notes
- Add cooked chickpeas or white beans for added protein.
- Use baby spinach for quicker wilting and a milder taste.
- Leftovers can be enjoyed cold as a pasta salad!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish or Light Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
Keywords: spinach orzo, garlic spinach, sautéed spinach pasta