Description

A quick, one-pan creamy orzo pasta with roasted garlic and spinach that tastes restaurant-quality but costs less than $15 to feed four people. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound orzo pasta
1 whole head of garlic
4 extra cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt, for pasta water
Optional: 2 cups cooked diced chicken
Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 15-20 minutes until soft and golden.
While garlic roasts, mince the 4 extra garlic cloves and prepare other ingredients.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown. Add chicken if using.
Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from skins into the sauce and stir.
Add drained orzo to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency. Taste and adjust salt.
Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Save the starchy pasta water to help thicken the sauce. Use fresh Parmesan, not pre-grated, for better melting. Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 380
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 2
Protein: 15

Keywords: creamy orzo, budget-friendly dinner, weeknight meals, one-pan pasta, roasted garlic, family dinner, quick recipes