Spinach and Parmesan Orzo
We’ve created a creamy, spinach-filled side dish using everybody’s favourite pasta shape: Orzo! Similar in texture to a risotto, you can make a slimming friendly meal by serving it with salad, meat or fish.
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories257
- Carbs40g
- Protein12g
- Fat5g
- Saturates2.5g
- Sugars3g
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For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card below. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff in the blurb!
Looking for a creamy side dish? Our Spinach and Parmesan Orzo is so rich and filling, it’s the perfect accompaniment to make a slimming friendly meal with. Pair it with a fresh side salad of your choice or serve it up with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal.
At only 257 calories, it fits really well into diet plans like Weight Watchers or if you’re calorie counting. We’ve used our favourite pasta shape variety, Orzo, as the rice-shaped pieces give us an indulgent, risotto-like texture.
Cook until the Orzo is tender with a ‘bite’ to it, so you’ve got a bit of texture. Finish with a sprinkling of black pepper and your flavourful, healthy side dish is ready.
What diets is this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo suitable for?
Spinach and Parmesan Orzo can be enjoyed on vegetarian diets, as long as you substitute Parmesan for suitable alternatives.
If you’re cooking for people with allergies, be extra careful when checking ingredients and preparing food!
How Weight Watchers friendly is this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo recipe?
Weight Watchers’ new PersonalPoints plan calculates each individual’s Points allowance based on their unique food preferences and goals. This means we’re no longer able to offer exact WW points for our recipes.
The good news is that all of our recipes are still Weight Watchers friendly! If you have any questions about your Points budgets or you’re unsure how a certain recipe will fit into your plan, please reach out to Weight Watchers directly.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Spinach and Parmesan Orzo?
You don’t need any special ingredients or equipment to make this recipe.
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How many calories are in this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo?
There are 257 calories per portion in this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo, which means it falls into our Everyday Light category.
To cut down the amount of calories even more, you can simply halve the portion size and serve with a healthy accompaniment!
This Spinach and Parmesan Orzo is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray a saucepan with low calorie cooking spray, and place over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.
Step 2
Add the garlic, cook for another minute then add the stock and the cream cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
Step 3
Add the orzo and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When cooked, the pasta should be tender but with a ‘bite’ and most of the liquid will be absorbed, with a little remaining as a creamy sauce. Add a little more water if you need to.
Step 4
Add the parmesan and spinach and stir for about a minute until the spinach wilts. Season with black pepper and serve!
What could I serve with this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo?
Make a satisfying, light meal with this Orzo by serving it up alongside these tasty recipes…
How do you know when Spinach and Parmesan Orzo is cooked?
You should cook this Spinach and Parmesan Orzo until the Orzo is tender with a ‘bite’ and most of the liquid has been absorbed (make sure there’s a little bit leftover to keep the creaminess!). This will take around 12-15 minutes.
To keep your family safe, the advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes.
How long can you keep Spinach and Parmesan Orzo in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Spinach and Parmesan Orzo in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze Spinach and Parmesan Orzo?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen in individual portions, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Spinach and Parmesan Orzo?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.
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Spinach and Parmesan Orzo
We’ve created a creamy side dish using Orzo! Similar in texture to a risotto, make a meal of it with salad, meat or fish on the side.
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Prep Time
5 MINS
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Cook Time
16 MINS
- KCals 257
- Carbs 40G
Instructions
- Spray a saucepan with low calorie cooking spray, and place over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.
- Add the garlic, cook for another minute then add the stock and the cream cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
- Add the orzo and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When cooked, the pasta should be tender but with a ‘bite’ and most of the liquid will be absorbed, with a little remaining as a creamy sauce. Add a little more water if you need to.
- Add the parmesan and spinach and stir for about a minute until the spinach wilts. Season with black pepper and serve!
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3 comments
See what others have to say
Tara MadgwickThursday 7th April 2022
I really fancied making this but when I saw the amount of liquid and only 1 stock cube, I really wasn’t sure whether it would be a little bland. Well … what a super tasty lunch. Not complicated, just simple and tasty. Will definitely make this again.
HollyFriday 8th April 2022
Hey Tara, thanks so much for your message we are so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
Tara MadgwickFriday 8th April 2022
Smashing! Even the husband loved it! Its a keeper. X
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