Cheesy Lemon Orzo
With fresh peas and spinach, this cheesy lemon orzo is a zesty and satisfying meal (or side dish).
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 ½ cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 small lemon juice and zest
- 1 5 ounce container baby spinach (about 5 cups packed)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a medium Dutch oven and set over low heat. Add shallots and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add orzo and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it smells nutty. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, stock, lemon zest and juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for about 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and almost all of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Once the orzo is tender, uncover and add spinach and peas. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often, or until the spinach is wilted and the peas are bright green and tender.
- Remove from heat and add ricotta and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and well blended and serve warm.
Notes
My Top Tip: For this lemon orzo, you'll need to use a pot with a lid! Covering the pot will allow the pasta to absorb all of the stock without the liquid evaporating.
Storage: Your lemon orzo will last in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. You can reheat it in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. If you're using the stovetop, stir the orzo frequently, add a little more liquid, and cover the pot with a lid so it doesn't burn before it reheats.
Freezing: You can freeze your cooled ricotta orzo in an airtight container for up to six months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating—just note that I've found orzo's texture is mushier after freezing and thawing!
Nutrition
Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 438mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2464IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 2mg
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