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Creamy Tuscan Orzo Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Orzo Recipe

A rich and flavorful one-pot orzo pasta dish inspired by Tuscan flavors, featuring sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Orzo
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 small Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups Orzo Pasta
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth low sodium
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Fresh Spinach loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • Salt Kosher Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Stir in the orzo pasta, allowing it to toast lightly for about 1-2 minutes. Mix in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using).
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and remove the skillet from the heat. Fold in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Gently fold in the fresh spinach. It will wilt quickly from the residual heat. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For a richer flavor, sauté 1/2 cup of diced mushrooms along with the onions. This dish thickens significantly as it cools; if reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore the creamy consistency.