Low Carb Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan

This low carb orzo dish is filling, creamy, and loaded with spinach and Parmesan! A comforting vegetarian and LCHF recipe.

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So what is orzo? Although it looks like rice, it's actually pasta! Here's what wiki says:

Orzo; from Italian for ''barley'', also known as risoni ('large [grains of] rice'), is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. Orzo is traditionally made from white flour, but it can also be made of whole grain. The name orzo is common for this pasta shape in North America."

But whether it's rice or pasta - how it can it be low carb? Well, check out this new product from The Great Low Carb Bread Company:

Yes - the Great Low Carb Bread Co also make pasta! You can buy it from Amazon Prime ($9.88). Prices correct at time this post was published in 2020.

So what is it made of? Well the ingredients list isn't too scary: Pea protein isolate, oat fiber, wheat fiber, egg whites, wheat gluten, semolina (Please note that this product is NOT gluten free). And it's 7g net carbs per 2 oz serving. So I totally understand if the carb count and/or the price is a little too high for some of you - but it really is a very good product that even people not low-carbing enjoy! And it might make a nice change to have a meal that tastes so "normal"!!!

Don't they kind of look like slivered almonds?!?

How to Make Low Carb Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan

Cook the orzo in boiling water according to the pack instructions - about 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, heat some oil in a skillet or cast iron pan and add some baby spinach, garlic paste, and heavy cream. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Add some shredded Parmesan and chopped green onions to the pan and stir to combine. 

Drain the orzo and add it to the sauce. Mix well, and season with black pepper.

Serve immediately, garnished with shaved Parmesan. 

This is a really nice meal to enjoy for lunch, as it is relatively quick to cook and no preparation time! The final carb count for the meal is 10g net carbs per person (and 28g of protein per serving!). If the carbs are too high for your way of eating, considering serving it as an appetizer for four people!

You might also like my low carb orzo salad!

📖 Recipe

StepAwayFromTheCarbs.com

Low Carb Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan

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This low carb orzo dish is filling, creamy, and loaded with spinach and Parmesan! A comforting vegetarian and LCHF recipe.

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Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Makes: 2 Servings

Net Carbs: 10

Calories: 478

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

• 2 oz low carb orzo pasta
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 oz baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste or minced garlic
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• 2 green onions chopped
• black pepper
• shaved Parmesan to garnish

Equipment

• Anolon Vesta Cast Iron 10-Inch Skillet, Cobalt Blue
• Great Low Carb Bread Co. Pasta Rice (Orzo) 8oz

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

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1. Cook the orzo in boiling water according to the pack instructions - about 8-10 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet or cast iron pan and add the baby spinach, garlic, and cream. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the shredded Parmesan and green onions to the pan and stir to combine. 
4. Drain the orzo and add it to the sauce. Mix well, and season with black pepper.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with shaved Parmesan. 

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 28gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 445mgFiber: 13gSugar: 2gNet Carbs: 10g

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Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. Net carbs are calculated as the total grams carbs minus the total grams of fiber.