Three Cheese Orzo and Spinach.
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.
116 Comments on “Three Cheese Orzo and Spinach.”
Yuuum! you’re always creating damn good stick to your ribs comfort food :)
Yum! We love orzo! Its M’s favorite pasta! Can’t wait make this :)
I’ve never heard of orzo before – will have to see if I can track some down.
You must! It is really good.
Ohh, this looks so good!
Love orzo! Beautiful dish.
ooooh nice recipe~~~also like the printable version!!! i have not noticed that before!!! maybe i am just…duh!!!! or is this NEW!!!!!
It’s fairly new! Thanks. :)
I agree. Cheese it way too good. This orzo recipe looks awesome!
I love orzo, too! Oh, and cheese :)
We love Orzo here, too. It is so healthy and delicious. Your recipe sounds simple but the result is so stunning :)
If only I didn’t eat entire hunks of cheese in one sitting, by myself, whenever I have it in the fridge, I might be able to make this. (The 125g of gorgonzola I had in the fridge yesterday? In mah belly.)
Welcome to my world!
Yum! I have to make this tomorrow! The cheap-y in me is trying to think of a cheese I could substitute for the goat cheese since it’s going at a premium right now in our grocery store – suggestions?
If not…maybe I’ll just have to go for it in lieu of making a fun dessert this week :) This dish looks too good not to try!
Maybe just cream cheese? Or even brie?
You’re awesome! Thank you!
This sounds delicious- I’ve never tried making orzo before!
Me neither! It really awesome though~ Jess, do you drink Green monsters? If not, then that’s a great way to sneak in the veggies! hehe.
Yes! I have a smoothie with spinach almost every morning. Been drinking them since I competed in fitness which was 2008!
I knew there was a reason I procrastinated on my meal plan for the week. This looks great!
looks great! orzo was my pick of the week last week and i just discovered how much i love it!
Great recipe!
I’ve never tried orzo before….. =P
You must!
I’ve never had orzo, but when I do, you can bet I’ll be making it this way :D
I had a pyrex dish shatter on me in college. I had made dinner for us and some friends and had just taken the chicken out and plated it when I heard an explosion. The damn thing exploded on the counter. I’ve never used pyrex since.
what a beautiful dish!!! i love the pop of green.
Yum! Love the colour that the greens add. I just read your glass shard brownie post and it made me laugh – although I’m sure it probably wasn’t much fun at the time! Have a great day Jess!
I can laugh about it now too. :)
i adore orzo…the texture is so fun, and you’re right: you can eat more b/c it’s little!
Veggie friendly + orzo = yummy in my tummy.
Goat cheese!! YES! There is nothing more creamy and comforting in a pasta sauce.
If I had to clean up glass shards all afternoon it would have definitely been a frozen pizza kind of night. You are superwoman!
Hahahah. Yeah… that wasn’t fun.
mmm spinach! :)
I definitely don’t cook with orzo enough, it’s so fun!!! I wonder if I could sneak some leafy greens into my boyfriend’s dinner with this recipe – it worked when I made Italian wedding soup and I think it could work here too. I am so evil, no? :P
I like the way you think!
Orzo was a staple growing up in my home! A very comforting dish, perfect for this time of year!
I’m now feeling all sad that I’ve never eaten Orzo. Must remedy that.
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Yummy….cheese, orzo and spinach….what a great combo. Another great recipe I just must try!!
You had me at goat cheese this time! This looks wonderful. I’m thinking of just using the sauce and using a different pasta, so the guys actually think they are getting a pasta meal!
Awesome idea!
I am loving spinach lately! And I always love orzo and goat cheese :)
Blueberries were on sale this week…I am seeing some blueberry cakes in my future!
Eeee! Let me know if you try them. :)
I love orzo but I need to try the whole wheat version! Great dish here.
Ohhh cheese and pasta is just lovely. LOVE the texture of orzo!
I’m going to add meat to this. And by meat, clearly we know I mean bacon.
I totally agree, cheese is amazing! This sounds delicious!
I always forget about orzo, and then I make it and think, “Why don’t I eat orzo three times a week?!?” It’s so good and easy!
Love this recipe!
One of my favorite Rachel Ray recipes (I know, groan) is her cheesey orzo. I used to eat almost the entire recipe’s worth when my mom made it in high school. But… yours has goat cheese. And I adore goat cheese. I must try this.
I love Rachael Ray! I really can find something to love in all Food Network chefs. :)
Ahhh this looks amazing. I could just sit and eat an entire box of orzo without complaint :) I always use it with shrimp, a little white wine sauce and capers. Yum. I love the idea of adding goat cheese in this dish!
I want that for lunch. Yum.
Mmmmm love orzo! (and cheese, and spinach… I’m sure I will be trying this at some point!)
Also just wanted to let you know I used one of your recipes to make Steelers cookies yesterday!! The red velvet chocolate chip ones… I just added a whole bunch of different colors of food coloring to try to make them black (it didn’t totally work… they were just really really dark brown) and then I half-dipped them in gold icing. They were delicious, love that recipe!
Hahaha that’s awesome!
Need to pick up another bag of WW orzo ASAP!
I’ve never heard of glass pyrex pans shattering like that ?! I can’t belive that happened !! I’ve put my pyrex’s from the fridge (with a prepared casserole) right into the oven… Had no idea it could just shatter like that. SCARY
I love orzo — it’s my favorite pasta. I always have it on hand to whip up easy dishes similar to the one you made here. Love the addition of goat cheese, too. Yum.
It’s so versatile!
omg. I. want. that. now.
Oh wow. This looks so good! :) Way to go on yet another wonderful recipe! :)
Oh my, I need to get some orzo! Anything that is like rice or pasta I love!
And all that cheese and spinach, makes this something I want to bake ASAP!
I love this!
I’ve become obsessed with cheesy pasta. My go-to easy fix? Laughing Cow light melted on some Ronzoni! :) YUUUUM-O!
Oooh, I love this! I’m always looking for something new to do with Orzo. And the cheese…yes please!!
this looks like it might be my perfect dinner! I love orzo!
Not one but three types of cheese?? This is my type of recipe!
looks delicious and oh so comforting! and you got the husband to eat it without chicken? success!
Hahaha oh no… he would never eat this without meat. He had it as a side dish!