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Easy Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo Recipe Your Kids Will Love

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A quick and easy one-pot orzo dish with creamy parmesan, bright lemon, and wilted spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly recipe comes together in about 25 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (100g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Grilled chicken or shrimp (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: zest and juice the lemon, mince the garlic, grate the parmesan, roughly chop the spinach, and measure out the broth and milk.
  2. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it sizzles gently but does not brown.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the broth and milk, then add the orzo. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low so it simmers steadily.
  5. Cook the orzo, stirring occasionally (every 2-3 minutes), for about 10-12 minutes until al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. If liquid evaporates too quickly, add a splash more broth or water.
  6. When the orzo is al dente, add the chopped spinach and stir gently. The residual heat will wilt the spinach in about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat.
  8. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated parmesan. Stir vigorously until the cheese is completely melted and the orzo is creamy.
  9. Let the orzo rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the dry orzo in the pot for 1-2 minutes after cooking the garlic, before adding the liquid. Do not rinse the orzo—the starch helps create the creamy sauce. Always remove the pot from the heat before adding the parmesan to prevent clumping. Adjust consistency with a splash of warm broth or milk if needed. Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat on the stovetop with a splash of liquid.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon parmesan orzo, easy orzo recipe, one-pot orzo, quick weeknight dinner, family-friendly pasta, spinach orzo

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/easy-creamy-lemon-parmesan-orzo-recipe-your-kids-will-love/