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Creamy One-Pot Lemon Butter Orzo Recipe Easy Spinach Parmesan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring creamy lemon butter orzo with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a comforting dinner or lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170g)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable broth (600ml)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (about 90g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and roughly chop the spinach (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter until foamy but not browned (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the orzo pasta and stir it into the butter and garlic mixture. Toast lightly for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Slowly add 2 ½ cups (600ml) of vegetable broth. Stir to combine, then increase heat to medium-high until it starts boiling.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add liquid if needed.
  7. Check that the orzo is tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Cook an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
  8. Remove the lid and stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped spinach. Cook until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
  9. Off the heat, mix in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until creamy.
  10. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  11. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan and a thin lemon slice.

Notes

Toast the orzo before adding liquid to build flavor and prevent mushiness. Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid sticking but not too frequently to prevent gumminess. Use fresh lemon juice for best brightness. Add spinach at the end to keep vibrant color and nutrients. Adjust seasoning after adding Parmesan as it adds saltiness. If orzo looks dry after cheese, stir in a splash of broth or a small pat of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter orzo, one-pot meal, spinach parmesan, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, creamy orzo, vegetarian dinner

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