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Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

Name: Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo; ½ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; ½ teaspoon minced garlic; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 cup pine nuts; 1 (10 ounce) bag baby spinach; ⅛ cup balsamic vinegar; 1 (8 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese; ½ fresh tomato, chopped; ½ teaspoon salt to taste

Rating: 4.52 stars

272 Ratings
197 Reviews
23 Photos

Orzo pasta with wilted spinach, feta cheese, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar - goes well with fish or chicken.

By ASCALESE

Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

15 mins

total:

30 mins

Servings:

Yield:

8 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. (Firm or slightly undercooked orzo works best for this dish.) Drain, transfer to a mixing bowl, and set aside.

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Step 2

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring to blend. Stir in garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, and reduce heat to medium. Stir in pine nuts and cook until lightly browned. Add spinach, cover, and cook on low heat for 5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.
Step 3

Toss spinach mixture with orzo pasta. Portion onto serving plates with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese and chopped tomatoes. Allow guests to adjust seasoning with salt, as needed. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

549.8 calories; 17.4 g protein; 49.1 g carbohydrates; 32.9 mg cholesterol; 514.3 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (197)

Most helpful positive review

ANJA

02/26/2006

I thought this was wonderful. It was very tasty and fun to make. My advice to anyone who makes it make sure you use balsamic vinegar at the end (it's not optional!) otherwise this will be a very bland dish. I skipped over the balsamic vinegar for the first bite thought it was boring then added it in and it transformed the dish and rocketed it from 3 stars to 5. This also tastes great with baked zucchini chips on the side. Read More

Helpful

(56)

Most helpful critical review

SWENSONL

05/03/2011

Too much oil half the pasta double the spinach Read More

Helpful

(5)

272 Ratings

5 star values: 171
4 star values: 81
3 star values: 13
2 star values: 4
1 star values: 3

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

ANJA

02/26/2006

Helpful

(56)

naples34102

02/13/2009

This was a hit and a miss in our house. I liked the idea of the feta but not hubs so I unfortunately had to leave it out. I loved the little spark the red pepper flakes added but it was a little too hot for hubby's sensitive innards so be careful with children or those who can't tolerate any "heat." And I didn't even use as much as the recipe called for! Because this is such a fresh and colorful dish I thought it would be better suited with fresh basil and I used halved grape tomatoes for additional color and texture. I went heavier on the garlic about one clove for the recipe scaled to two servings. I served this with a rather robust chicken dish so the fact this was light on any additional spices or herbs made this the perfect accompaniment. I think what I like best about this is that it's just so darn pretty on the plate! Read More

Helpful

(43)

Mark P

05/08/2005

Very good. I tried this recipe to use up some extra pine nuts and I wasn't just pleasantly surprised I was astonished how good it was. The cheese adds a delicious creaminess; the tomatoes provide a refreshing tang; the pine nuts give a wonderful fragrance; the orzo and wilted spinach in spices serve as a nice base. And it's quite pretty. One nice feature of the recipe is that the main ingredients are prepared separately so each person can mix them to his or her own preference. (I like more spinach (50% more) and much more tomatoes (100% more) and less cheese (33% less).) Some changes: I used half the olive oil and 2/3rds the butter. Read More

Helpful

(34)

WebsByMegan

10/16/2004

Elegant is right! Really easy to make and it tasted gourmet! I had tomato/basil feta which was excellent on top. I might toss in a few sundried tomatoes next time. Will definitely make again!! Read More

Helpful

(23)

Kelly

04/20/2006

Absolutely first rate! Follow other reviewers advice and cut way back on the fats - 2 tablespoons of olive oil and no butter. Also didn't add any tomato because they're so disgusting this time of year. Made far more than we could eat in one meal so I stirred in some quartered artichoke hearts and balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing and had a delicious pasta salad! Thanks for the post! Read More

Helpful

(15)

marniecat

07/09/2006

I've made this about six times now and I find myself looking forward to it each time. Other reviewers are correct don't skimp on the spinach and cut the oil. Great for a summer side dish. Read More

Helpful

(15)

Julie1271

06/05/2005

This recipe was great! Only additions were capers sundried tomatoes and black olives! YUM! Read More

Helpful

(15)

myla

02/07/2006

This recipe was great. I didn't have any orzo on hand so substituted it with Basmati rice and it worked out wonderfully. This was a great way to sneak in some spinach without any complaints. Read More

Helpful

(10)

MONTYHOUSE

09/02/2006

I'm in the "just okay" camp. Definitely needs some more zip. After the pine nuts and spinach are sauteed my reaction was "That's a lot of oil to pour over the orzo." But it works out fine. The problem is that it IS too bland. I'd lower the olive oil next time and replace it with red wine vinegar tsp. of salt and 1/2 red onion. Looks pretty...has great potential...but B-L-A-H. Read More

Helpful

(10)

SWENSONL

05/03/2011

Too much oil half the pasta double the spinach Read More

Helpful

(5)

More Reviews

Back to Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

All Reviews for Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

- of Reviews

Nutritional Information

Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

Servings Per Recipe: 8
Calories: 549.8

% Daily Value *

protein: 35 %

carbohydrates: 16 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 18 %

sugars:

fat: 50 %

saturated fat: 48 %

cholesterol: 11 %

vitamin a iu: 50 %

niacin equivalents: 57 %

vitamin b6: 18 %

vitamin c: 17 %

folate: 45 %

calcium: 19 %

iron: 26 %

magnesium: 36 %

potassium: 11 %

sodium: 21 %

thiamin: 47 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

1 of 197

All Reviews

ANJA

02/26/2006

Helpful

(56)

naples34102

02/13/2009

Helpful

(43)

Mark P

05/08/2005

Helpful

(34)

WebsByMegan

10/16/2004

Elegant is right! Really easy to make and it tasted gourmet! I had tomato/basil feta which was excellent on top. I might toss in a few sundried tomatoes next time. Will definitely make again!!

Helpful

(23)

Kelly

04/20/2006

Helpful

(15)

marniecat

07/09/2006

I've made this about six times now and I find myself looking forward to it each time. Other reviewers are correct don't skimp on the spinach and cut the oil. Great for a summer side dish.

Helpful

(15)

Julie1271

06/05/2005

This recipe was great! Only additions were capers sundried tomatoes and black olives! YUM!

Helpful

(15)

myla

02/07/2006

This recipe was great. I didn't have any orzo on hand so substituted it with Basmati rice and it worked out wonderfully. This was a great way to sneak in some spinach without any complaints.

Helpful

(10)

MONTYHOUSE