Description
This Creamy Tuscan Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring tender orzo cooked in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and fragrant basil. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, it’s a quick and easy meal perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (see note)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil, torn
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Aromatics: In a pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil, butter, and chopped onion. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Flavorings and Orzo: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and the uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to allow the orzo to absorb the flavors.
- Simmer with Broth and Cream: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a steady simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed without boiling vigorously.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and stir in grated parmesan cheese, baby spinach, and torn fresh basil. Cover the pot and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken the sauce and allow the spinach to wilt. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or rehydrate dry ones before adding.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Vegetarian option: use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If the sauce is too thick after resting, stir in a little extra broth or cream to reach desired consistency.
