Creamy Spinach Orzo with Branzino & Broccolini
If you’re looking for an easy dinner that feels restaurant-worthy without being overly complicated, this creamy spinach orzo with branzino is a great choice. The orzo is cooked with garlic, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste before being finished with heavy cream, fresh spinach, and a blend of cheeses.
I paired the creamy orzo with pan-seared branzino and broccolini on the side, but you can easily switch up the protein or vegetables based on what you have on hand.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Creamy and flavorful: The combination of heavy cream, cheese, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a rich sauce.
Easy to customize: Swap the branzino for shrimp, chicken, salmon, steak, or tofu.
Perfect for weeknight dinners: It feels elevated but comes together with simple ingredients.
Restaurant-style at home: Creamy orzo + crispy fish + broccolini makes an easy but impressive meal.
Ingredients
For the Creamy Spinach Orzo
1½ cups orzo
1 small onion, diced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1–2 tablespoons tomato paste
2–3 cups broth of choice
½–1 cup heavy whipping cream
½–1 cup quattro formaggi cheese, or cheese of choice
1–2 cups fresh spinach
1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
Italian seasoning, optional
Red pepper flakes, optional
For the Branzino
1–2 branzino fillets
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Your favorite seafood seasoning
For the Broccolini
1 bunch broccolini
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder or fresh garlic, optional
Lemon juice, optional
How to Make Creamy Spinach Orzo
1. Cook the Branzino
Season the branzino fillets with your favorite seafood seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Pan-sear the branzino until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics
In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened.
Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the Tomato Paste
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. This helps deepen the tomato flavor and creates a flavorful base for the orzo.
4. Toast the Orzo
Add the orzo to the skillet and stir it into the tomato, garlic, and onion mixture.
Toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Cook the Orzo
Pour in your broth and stir. I used beef broth, but chicken, vegetable, or seafood broth can also be used.
Allow the orzo to simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add additional broth as needed if the orzo becomes too thick before it’s fully cooked.
6. Make It Creamy
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy whipping cream.
Continue stirring until the orzo becomes creamy and smooth.
7. Add the Spinach & Cheese
Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted.
Then add your cheese of choice. I used quattro formaggi cheese from Trader Joe’s, but Parmesan, mozzarella, or another flavorful cheese would work well.
Stir until the cheese melts and everything is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Prepare the Broccolini
While the orzo cooks, toss the broccolini with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your preferred seasonings.
Roast, air fry, or sauté until tender with slightly crispy edges. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you’d like.
9. Assemble & Serve
Spoon the creamy spinach orzo onto a plate or bowl. Top with the pan-seared branzino and serve the broccolini on the side.
For a finishing touch, add fresh herbs, freshly grated cheese, red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of lemon.
Easy Protein Swaps
The creamy spinach orzo is incredibly versatile. If branzino isn’t your thing, try:
Shrimp
Chicken
Salmon
Steak
Scallops
Tofu
You can also leave out the protein entirely for a delicious vegetarian creamy orzo.
Tips for the Best Creamy Orzo
Keep an eye on the liquid. Orzo absorbs broth quickly, so add more broth if necessary while it cooks.
Don’t overcook the orzo. You want it tender but still slightly firm. It will continue absorbing liquid as it sits.
Use freshly grated cheese when possible. It melts more smoothly and gives the orzo a richer texture.
Finish with lemon. A little fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness of the cream and cheese and works especially well with the branzino.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different broth?
Yes! I used beef broth, but chicken, vegetable, or seafood broth will all work. Choose based on the flavor profile you’re going for.
What cheese can I use instead of quattro formaggi?
Parmesan is an easy substitute. You can also use mozzarella, fontina, provolone, or a combination of your favorite cheeses.
Can I use a different protein?
Absolutely. This creamy spinach orzo works with shrimp, chicken, salmon, steak, tofu, or even no protein at all.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. Use vegetable broth and skip the branzino or substitute it with your favorite plant-based protein.
Creamy Spinach Orzo with Branzino & Broccolini
This creamy spinach orzo is the kind of meal that makes a regular dinner feel a little more special. The savory tomato and garlic base, creamy cheese sauce, wilted spinach, crispy branzino, and roasted broccolini all bring something different to the plate.
Simple ingredients, big flavor, and plenty of room to make it your own. 🍋🌿
Watch the process!
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