Cheese is one of the best things in the world. It’s true! And do you know what else is really good? Cheesy pasta.

Duh.

We love orzo in this house.

It’s like pasta. But it’s not.

It’s fun to eat.

It’s whole wheat.

It’s little… so you get to eat more of it.

Win!

This orzo makes for a delicious side dish, or even a great base for any other pasta mix. Or it just gives you a big bowl of cheesy pasta to eat with spoon. That’s how I spent my Sunday afternoon.

Not.

I really spent my Sunday afternoon doing this. That wasn’t fun.

But I did manage to sneak in some cooking. We couldn’t starve after all. Well… I could starve. In fact, after making 4 batches of brownies I probably should starve.
But I wouldn’t subject Mr. How Sweet to the same. Or subject myself to hungry angry husband syndrome.

And there is greenery in here. Vegetables!

Who woulda thunk it?
Lots and lots of cheese too. Goat cheese. Parmesan cheese. Cheddar cheese. We’ve got a little somethin’ somethin’ for everyone. It’s simple, but really delicious!

 

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Three Cheese Orzo and Spinach

serves 4-6 (as a side dish)

1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup chopped onions (this was about 1/4 onion for me)

2 cloves garlic

2 ounces goat cheese

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 6-ounce bag of spinach

pinch of nutmeg

Boil water and cook pasta according to directions.

While orzo is cooking, heat a skillet on medium heat and add olive oil. Add chopped onions with a pinch of salt and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and spinach (I leave the stems on my spinach, they don’t bother me), cooking until spinach wilts.

Drain pasta and add to spinach and onions. Stir in cheese, mixing until melted and combined. Add nutmeg and stir. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve as a side dish or as a base for another pasta mix.

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It pains me to say this, but these are probably the only vegetables you’ll see this week. So take a good look.

And we all know that doesn’t really pain me at all.