Creamy Tuscan Orzo (Print Version)

Tender orzo in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Dairy

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup baby spinach
06 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Broth

09 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Seasoning

10 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Extra grated Parmesan

# How-To Steps:

01 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add orzo to the skillet, toasting for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
04 - Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Pour in heavy cream, dried thyme, and chili flakes. Mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
07 - Fold in baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Stir until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Remove from heat immediately. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add this incredible tangy sweetness that cuts through all that rich cream
  • Ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • The sauce continues thickening rapidly once removed from heat so err on the side of slightly looser consistency
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil need draining but oil-packed ones taste better than the dry kind you rehydrate yourself
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce back up
03 -
  • Grate some lemon zest over the top right before serving to brighten all the rich flavors
  • Keep a little pasta water handy in case you need to thin the sauce at the very end

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