Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach – creamy orzo, leftover butternut squash and baby spinach turned into a quick healthy dish.
What can you do with leftover butternut squash? You can make Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach. Cut butternut squash into cubes, mix it with cooked orzo and spinach and in a matter of minutes you have a tasty and healthy meal.
Non-vegans can add some kind of cheese to it, like grated Parmesan cheese, feta or blue cheese.
Even if you are not using cheese, cooked orzo adds enough creaminess to the dish.

Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach
Cook Time
25 mins
Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach - creamy orzo, leftover butternut squash and baby spinach turned into a quick healthy dish.
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
orzo with butternut squash and spinach
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups butternut squash roasted or cooked
- 1 cup orzo regular or whole wheat
- 3 cups fresh spinach shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Cut butternut squash into 1/4 inch cubes. Set aside.
-
Cook orzo in boiling salty water according to package instructions. Drain, but reserve some of pasta water.
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In the meantime in a large pan, fry garlic in olive oil for a few seconds (until fragrant), add spinach and 1-2 Tbsp water you reserved from cooking orzo. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is soft to your liking.
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Add orzo, butternut squash and season to taste with salt and pepper. Non-vegans can serve this dish with grated Parmesan cheese, feta or blue cheese.
Recipe adapted from: The Kitchn
COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE: 16 Recipes That Will Make You Fall in Love With Butternut Squash

Like the ingredients in this dish but do not know what orzo is. I have looked in the shops for it but no joy. Any help please?
Deirdre
Orzo is a type of pasta, looking similar to the grain of rice. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orzo_%28pasta%29
If you can’t find orzo, try any kind of small pasta.
Many thanks for your help in identifying Orzo for me. Now I know what I’m looking for I shall be including this dish at our Easter dinner. There are 2 vegetarians and 1 Vegan. Bet they will love this recipie. Again thank you.
Deirdre
You’re welcome, Deirdre! 🙂
Used ingredients and directions to the t. Everyhing came out perfect! Idk what’s in it that makes it so creamy, but the flavor and texture is amazin. I will be making more of this
Britt, I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂
Starchy water reserved from cooking orzo pasta is one reason this dish is so creamy. Garlic and olive oil are also important factors. If you add some grated cheese, it will add another layer of creaminess, too. All of these components together make perfect emulsion.