Creamy Spinach Orzo: A Simple & Nutritious Comfort Meal for 12 months & up
Creamy spinach orzo is a quick, wholesome, and kid-friendly lunch or dinner recipe made with just four ingredients: orzo, spinach, butter, and cheese. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, as it comes together in under 20 minutes, making it a go-to option for parents looking for a balanced, yummy meal for the whole family. You can pair it with your favorite protein, like shredded chicken breast or fish, so yum!
The combination of tender orzo, melted cheese, and butter creates a creamy, risotto-like texture, while spinach adds a boost of vitamins and minerals. Unlike traditional creamy pasta dishes that require heavy cream, this simple recipe achieves a rich and velvety consistency with just cheese and butter, making it both lighter and easier to digest for little ones.
Why Kids and Adults Will Love Creamy Spinach Orzo:
Quick & Easy – Ready in just 20 minutes with 4 ingredients. Super versatile, can be served for a kid-friendly lunch or dinner.
Creamy & Comforting – It comes out so creamy and delicious, everyone will enjoy it.
Packed with Nutrients – Spinach adds vitamins and minerals without overpowering the taste. It’s an excellent way to introduce greens in a mild, cheesy dish that kids will love.
One-Pot Wonder – Fewer dishes, less cleanup!
Customizable – Can be adapted with different cheeses, seasonings, or protein additions, like chicken, fish or shrimp.
Nutritional Benefits:
Orzo – A great source of carbohydrates for energy.
Spinach – High in iron, vitamin A, and fiber for overall health.
Cheese – Provides protein and calcium for strong bones.
Butter – Adds healthy fats for brain development in growing kids.
Ingredients & Substitutions:
Orzo- You can swap for a gluten-free orzo
Spinach- I don’t recommending substituting the spinach with a different leafy green. Spinach is the softest and most mild in flavor. You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe.
Butter- You can substitute with olive oil if preferred.
Shredded cheese- I used a mix of shredded cheddar and mozzarella, you can use whichever mix of cheeses you and your little one’s prefer or swap for dairy-free cheese.
What you need:
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more kid-friendly lunch recipes you should check out:
Simple Buttered Pasta With Peas
One-Pot Chickpeas, Chicken & Rice Dinner
Creamy Spinach Orzo
Ingredients
Directions
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Chop spinach and boil water. Add orzo until cooked for about 8-9 minutes When chopping spinach I recommend removing stems
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In the meantime add 1/2 tbsp butter onto heated pan, along with chopped spinach and cook till wilted on medium heat, for about 3 minutes
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When orzo is ready, strain water. Add spinach, remaining butter (2 tbsp), shredded cheese, salt, garlic powder and mix till everything is fully melted and creamy
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Serve & Enjoy!
This was delicious, thank you for the recipe ❤️