Recipe Background
A special meal requires special side dishes, too! Easter Orzo is the must-have dish that everyone will grow to expect, year after year. Tender orzo is surrounded by a creamy parmesan cheese sauce, with a hint of sun-dried tomatoes and wilted baby spinach, for side-dish-perfection. Let Easter Orzo take center stage at your beautiful celebration tablescape. It's truly one of the best additions to your special day!
A special meal requires special side dishes, too! Easter Orzo is the must-have dish that everyone will grow to expect, year after year. Tender orzo is surrounded by a creamy parmesan cheese sauce, with a hint of sun-dried tomatoes and wilted baby spinach, for side-dish-perfection. Let Easter Orzo take center stage at your beautiful celebration tablescape. It's truly one of the best additions to your special day!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 ounces orzo
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper plus more, to taste
- 5 cups baby spinach packed
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese finely grated, plus more, to taste, for serving
Directions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the orzo and the garlic and cook, while stirring occasionally, until the orzo is lightly toasted and the garlic is fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, while stirring, until combined, about 1 minute.
- Add the broth, the milk, the sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper and stir to combine.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the orzo mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, while stirring frequently, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the orzo is tender, 12-14 minutes.
- Add the spinach and 3/4 cup of the parmesan and cook, while stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the orzo from the heat and season it with the extra salt and the extra pepper, as needed.
- Serve topped with the extra parmesan.
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