Creamy Tuscan Orzo (Printable Version)

Tender orzo in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, inspired by Tuscan flavors.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Make:

01 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add orzo to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1 minute to lightly toast the grains.
04 - Pour in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Stir occasionally and cook for 8-10 minutes until orzo reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Pour in heavy cream, dried thyme, and chili flakes. Mix thoroughly and simmer 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 -
  • The creamy sauce comes together in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal
  • Sun-dried tomatoes pack such intense umami that even skeptics ask for seconds
  • Orzo feels elegant but cooks faster than traditional pasta, perfect for those nights when hunger strikes hard
02 -
  • The sauce continues thickening off the heat, so remove the pan a minute before it looks perfect
  • Orzo can go from tender to mushy fast, so start checking at the 8-minute mark
  • If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of broth or pasta water to loosen it up
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a wedge. Pre-grated cheese contains starches that make sauces grainy instead of smooth.
  • Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking liquid before draining. That starchy water is a secret weapon for adjusting consistency later.

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