Meet Noreen!

Hi!  I'm Noreen, wife, mother of two amazing, almost grown, daughters, content creator, cook, baker and sister in Christ. Welcome to my Kitchen!   I hope you stick around, enjoy the recipes and share them with those you love!

1 Cup good quality mayonnaise
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Step By Step Instructions

Noreen's Kitchen
Creamy Tomato Orzo with Spinach

Today I am sharing a quick and delicious side dish that goes perfectly with just about any type of grilled or roasted meat.  Creamy tomato orzo with spinach!  This is a delicious pasta side that will quickly become a family favorite.  If you like rice, you are going to like orzo, which is a rice shaped pasta.  Add a bit of tomatoey goodness and a bit of cheese along with a punch of nutrition from a couple good handfuls of fresh baby spinach and you have the perfect go along for any meal!

We love orzo and if you saw my pantry organization video you know I discovered I had a bunch.  We have been putting it to use making delicious sides for our meals.  This creamy tomato orzo is a real favorite.  This is super easy to throw together and you can use pantry staples that you already have on hand to whip this up in no time.

I love this spin on a pasta side dish.  The orzo cooks up quickly, much like rice and then you can add what you like to mix it up.  I have added the remains of our favorite pasta sauce from a jar that was opened for a lunch by one of our girls.  This is a great way to use up what you have in the fridge!  I added a bit of fresh grated parmesan along with some butter and some herbs and spices to make this fantastic side.

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The first time I made this I stopped at the sauce, butter and cheese.  The next time I added the spinach and it was the perfect, finishing touch.  Not only is this delicious, but it is nutritious and beautiful.  You could simply eat this for dinner if you were so inclined, but pairing this with a steamed, grilled or roasted vegetable and a delicious pan seared piece of chicken breast or perfectly cooked steak is as close to perfection as your dinner will come.

I love to have orzo in my pantry because it is easy to toss into soups or make dishes such as this.  It really is a great way to make a homemade chicken soup really hearty and thick.  The texture is a favorite and it is super versatile.  You can cook it as I have here with a 1 to 1/2 ratio of pasta to water or you can simply boil this up in a pot of salted water and drain then proceed with the remainder of the recipe.  It may be a bit more watery but it will still be as delicious.  In fact, the first time I made it, I did the cook and drain method and everyone loved it.

I hope you give this creamy tomato orzo with spinach a try and I hope you love it!

Happy Eating!

Bring water to a boil over medium heat.  Add butter and dry orzo.  Stir well. 

Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through but still a bit chewy.  You may need to add a bit more water if the pasta is not cooked all the way to your liking.

Once pasta is cooked through, add butter, cheese, sauce and seasonings.  Stir well to combine. 

Add spinach and stir until wilted.  Remove from heat and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Serve with a sprinkle of more cheese if desired.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

4 cups loosely packed baby spinach

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2 cups orzo pasta
3 cups water
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups tomato or pasta sauce
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Creamy Tomato Orzo with Spinach

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Noreen's Kitchen