Lemon Orzo with Spinach

Lemon Orzo with Spinach is a bright and simple side dish you can make in no time! Packed with lemony orzo, healthy spinach and tangy parmesan cheese, it's so delicious.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This lemon spinach orzo is awesome! It's so quick and easy that it's ready in just 15 minutes.

Although baby spinach is in season during the spring and fall, you can typically find it at grocery stores year round. Feel free to make this anytime of the year.

If you like this orzo recipe, check out my most popular recipe, Rainbow Orzo Salad.

Ingredients

This pasta dish comes together with just 6 simple ingredients.

• Orzo: Use your favorite type of orzo pasta! White, whole wheat, or gluten free would all work well. I especially love DeLallo pasta.
• Spinach: Loosely packed fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped. You could also use it whole without chopping it. If you don't have spinach, you can substitute for baby kale.
• Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil. For a slightly different flavor, you could swap it out for butter.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best in this recipe.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese, to make it a little creamy and tangy. For best results, grate it yourself.
• Sea Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Once al dente, add the spinach to the boiling water with the orzo. Cook for 1-2 more minutes until orzo is at desired consistency and spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and drain. Return the orzo and spinach back to the pot.
2. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Serve warm with lemon wedges (optional). Enjoy!

Expert Tip: For even more lemon flavor, use the juice of an entire lemon. You could also stir in or top with lemon zest.

Variations

I love this Lemon Orzo with Spinach as a simple side dish, however if you want to add more to it, here are some recommendations.

• Add some cooked veggies. Some favorites are minced garlic, peas, chopped asparagus, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes.
• Top with fresh herbs. Basil, parsley, and thyme are all great options.
• Stir in a protein to make it more hearty. Sliced chicken sausage, bacon pieces or pancetta are great meat options. Chickpeas or any other white bean are delicious meatless options.
• Make it vegan. Use a cheese substitute instead of parmesan cheese, or just leave it out.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it as a side dish to just about any main dish for a complete meal, like grilled chicken, shrimp or fish. For an additional side, serve with these Parmesan Garlic Knots.

Top with some of these optional toppings: lemon zest, fresh herbs like parsley or basil, grated parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper.

You can even meal prep this ahead of time for lunches or dinners for the week. Prepare according to recipe instructions, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Sometimes pasta will dry out in the fridge, so simply drizzle a little oil over the top and give it a quick stir before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

More Orzo Recipes

If you love this Lemon Orzo with Spinach, try these other recipes!

• Pesto Orzo Salad
• Vegetable Soup with Orzo and White Beans

If you make this recipe, don't forget to come back and leave a 5-star rating with a comment below.

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