Description
This easy Spanakopita Orzo is a creamy one-pan dinner with tender orzo pasta, spinach, feta, fresh dill, and lemon. All the flavors of spanakopita, ready in about 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced small
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 cup orzo (dry uncooked orzo pasta)
- 2 1/2 cups stock or broth (flavorful vegetable broth or chicken stock)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is nice here)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (or red pepper flakes)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 4 cups)
- 2 green onions, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, more to taste
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (we prefer crumbling a block of sheep's milk feta rather than buying pre-crumbled)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics. In a skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil and onions; sauté for 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium. Add the garlic and cook for a few minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Cook the orzo. Stir the orzo into the pan, 1-2 minutes, coating the grains. Add the broth, nutmeg, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Simmer gently over medium-low heat, without a lid, for 12-14 minutes, stirring frequently. Cook until the orzo is tender and looks slightly loose and saucy—it will continue absorbing liquid as it rests. If it seems a bit dry, add more broth or water.
- Add greens and herbs. Add spinach; it will seem like a lot, but it will wilt quickly. Stir in green onions, lemon zest, parsley, lemon juice, and feta. Remove from heat.
- Adjust flavor and serve. Season with salt, lemon, and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with dill.
Notes
Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in a small saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen.
Add a few tablespoons of cream before serving for a richer sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 187
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Sodium: 749.9 mg
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 25.6 g
- Fiber: 2.7 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 11.1 mg
