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Home » Recipes » Vegetables and Sides

Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta

Published: Feb 22, 2023 · Modified: Aug 11, 2023 by Marisa Franca · 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe
Pinterest image with title overlay for Orzo Pasta with Spinach and Lemon risotto.

Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender orzo pasta with fresh spinach and zesty lemon to create a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal or side dish. 

With its creamy and rich texture and balanced flavors, this orzo risotto is extremely versatile. Whether you're looking for a quick and satisfying dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for a special occasion, this lemony and savory rice shaped pasta is sure to impress!

Two white bowls filled with risoni pasta made with lemon and spinach and served in a creamy wine parmesan sauce.
Every time we make our Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta Recipe for guests, they always request the recipe.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why I love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why I love this recipe

  • This dish is creamy in texture and comforting thanks to the use of orzo pasta, just like risotto.
  • The addition of spinach and delicious seasonings makes this recipe great as a side dish for most meals.
  • It’s incredibly easy to make in less than 30 minutes!

Lemon spinach orzo pasta is a light and refreshing dish that combines the flavors of fresh spinach, zesty lemon, and creamy pasta for a delicious and easy-to-prepare main meal or side dish.

🛒 Ingredients

Image of the ingredients needed to make the creamy orzo pasta with lemon spinach risotto.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Note: The full list of this Orzo Pasta recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Collage of first set of four steps to making the orzo pasta risotto with lemon and spinach.
  1. Add the onion to a pan with olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté the onion until softened (about 3-5 minutes), and add the garlic to cook until fragrant.
  3. Add the orzo to the pan and stir to coat with oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add the broth and water.
Collage of the second set of four steps to making the spinach lemon orzo pasta recipe.
  1. Stir the mixture regularly until the liquid and orzo is cooked (about 9-10 minutes).
  2. Off heat, add the baby spinach and lemon zest.
  3. Add the butter.
  4. Stir the mixture until the spinach wilts. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • A large skillet
  • Spoon to stir
  • liquid measuring cup
The rice shaped pasta orzo made into a risotto like dish with spinach and lemon flavoring.
We love to serve this orzo pasta with spinach an lemon recipe with grilled meats. Family and guests always go back for seconds.

🤔 FAQs

These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making orzo pasta recipe that mimics risotto.

What is healthier orzo or rice?

Both orzo and rice are high in calories. Rice tends to be higher in carbohydrates, while orzo is higher in protein, so it depends on what your nutritional goals are.

Is risoni the same as orzo pasta?

No, although risoni and orzo pasta are similar in appearance and can be used interchangeably in recipes. The difference in texture and flavor between the two may be noticeable.

What is orzo pasta?

Orzo pasta is a pasta shaped like a small, flattened grain of rice, while other types of pasta may be shaped in various forms, such as tubes, ribbons, spirals, or shells. Orzo in the Italian language is barley and much smaller than most pasta.

Is orzo pasta healthier than regular pasta?

Orzo pasta is a type of pasta that is similar in nutritional value to other types of pasta. Orzo the grain and pasta are actually two different foods.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • The flavors of this dish are simple, so it's important to use high-quality ingredients.
  • Don’t overcook the orzo, or it will become mushy in texture.
  • Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition to this dish. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly before using. While I haven’t removed the stems, you can if you prefer.
  • The lemon zest adds brightness and acidity to this dish. Use fresh lemon zest for the best flavor.
  • Orzo pasta can be bland on its own, so it's important to season it well with salt and pepper. I’ve also added nutmeg. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

📚 Variations

  • Add cream to this dish for ultra creamy texture and flavor. 
  • Stir in shredded parmesan for a cheesy version of this orzo dish.
  • Add other vegetables, such as grated zucchini, bell peppers, sweet corn, olives or juicy tomatoes.
  • Garnish this lemon spinach orzo pasta with chopped fresh herbs, freshly grated parmesan, or crumbled feta.
Close up of the Lemon Orzo with Spinach recipe in a skillet.
The touch of lemon to this spinach orzo pasta recipe gives it a bright springtime taste.

🥫 Storage

This orzo pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat leftover lemon orzo with a splash of water or broth in the microwave or on the stovetop.

I don’t recommend freezing this spinach orzo as the texture may be altered.

📗 Related Recipes

This rice shaped pasta is extremely versatile as an ingredient in various recipe:

  • Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - A light and flavorful soup that's healthy and comforting without the extra calories!
  • Orzo Stuffed Peppers - Stuff your peppers with a mixture of tender orzo, spinach, grape tomatoes, and herbs. 
  • Spotted Sea Trout Piccata - This hearty meal is a perfect example of a main dish to pair with this lemon spinach orzo risotto.
  • Sautéed Baby Spinach With Grape Tomatoes - A quick and easy vegetable side combination that is a delicious topping to farro, couscous, polenta, and even pasta.

🍽 Serve with

Serve this orzo pasta with grilled or roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or grilled or roasted chicken or fish.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

While the term "orzo" in Italy refers to barley, Lemon and Spinach Orzo Pasta is a dish that closely resembles risotto in texture and taste. This recipe is much easier and less time-consuming to prepare than the classic rice recipe. With its rich and creamy consistency and abundant flavor, this dish is a delicious alternative to traditional risotto that you’ll love! 

And if you can't get enough of this delicious rice-like pasta, next time try our Creamy Orzo Pasta with Marinated Grape Tomatoes recipe.

Another dish you may like is our Farro Risi e Bisi recipe. The farro and peas makes a delicious side or a nutritious meal by itself. Farro is a grain that packs a powerhouse of nutrition.

If you like small pasta combined with fresh vegetables, try our Spicy Bell Pepper Couscous recipe. Delicious colored peppers combine with the Mediterranean pasta.

Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!

Two bowls filled with a risotto style dish made with a rice shaped pasta called orzo pasta seasoned with lemon and spinach.
We love making orzo pasta in the manner of a risotto. It's quick and easy and the taste is fabulous.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📝 Recipe Card

Treat yourself to the irresistible taste of Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta, featuring tender orzo that’s cooked in flavorful broth, softened spinach and onion, melted butter and seasoning. This delicious one-pan dish can be whipped up in just 25 minutes!

The best part is that you don't have to stand over the stove, stirring constantly, and slowly adding the hot liquid to get the creamy delicious texture of risotto. The Lemon and Spinach Orzo complimented the Sea Trout Piccata perfectly.

If you'd like to try another delicious bright and fresh pasta dish that is full of green springtime vegetables, Pasta Primavera is the one you'll love. And if you'd like to try the same theme only with shrimp and different spring vegetables, you don't want to miss out on our Shrimp Past Primavera.

📖 Recipe

A white bowl filled with orzo pasta made with lemon and spinach in a creamy wine parmesan sauce.

Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta A Quick Risotto

An easy way to make a quick risotto. The orzo pasta makes this dish super creamy and the spinach and seasonings make it a great side for any meal. 
4.50 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: pasta dish - side
Cuisine: Italian and American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 171kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup diced onion
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth hot
  • 1 cup water hot
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 Tbsp. minced lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

  • sauté onion in olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat until softened, 3-5 minutes, Add garlic; cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
  • Add orzo and stir to coat with oil; cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in broth and water, stirring often until liquid is absorbed and orzo is cooked, 9-10 minutes.
  • Off heat, stir in spinach, zest, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until spinach wilts.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2200IU | Vitamin C: 19.2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1.5mg

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    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

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