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Gluten-Free Spinach Pesto Orzo

Gluten-Free Spinach Pesto Orzo
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Creamy GF pesto orzo tech. Quick, dairy-free spinach dinner recipe. Fast, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (about 1 1/4 cups) gluten-free orzo pasta
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

    • Instructions

  • Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gluten-free orzo according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, save about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the orzo and set it aside.
  • Whiz Up the Pesto: While the pasta cooks, combine the fresh spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until smooth and vibrant green. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Bring It All Together: In the same pot, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in your homemade spinach pesto until the sauce is smooth and unified.
  • The Final Toss: Add the drained orzo back to the pot with the pesto cream sauce. Toss until every piece of pasta is coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your perfect creamy consistency.
  • Serve & Swoon: Dish it up immediately into bowls, topped with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a crack of black pepper.

    • Notes

    A vibrant, 20-minute one-pot wonder featuring tender gluten-free orzo pasta enveloped in a bright spinach pesto and a touch of creamy decadence. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.

    Nutrition

    Find it online: https://bestdisheasy.com/gluten-free-spinach-pesto-orzo-recipe/