Description
Hearty orzo with roasted squash celebrates seasonal Mediterranean flavors with golden-brown vegetables and aromatic herbs. Creamy pasta and caramelized squash create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Pasta:
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) butternut squash, cut into tiny 1/4-inch cubes
- 1 cup (240 ml) orzo pasta, regular or whole-wheat
- 2 cups (475 ml) fresh spinach, roughly shredded
Aromatics & Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) good-quality olive oil
- 1 plump clove of garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cheese:
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal roasting of butternut squash cubes.
- Toss squash cubes with olive oil, seasoning thoroughly with salt and pepper, ensuring even coating and maximum flavor absorption.
- Spread squash pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, allowing enough space between cubes for proper caramelization during 35-40 minute roasting period.
- While squash roasts, create garlic-infused oil by gently warming olive oil with minced garlic in a skillet, allowing aromatic flavors to develop without burning.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook orzo until it reaches al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness.
- During final minute of pasta cooking, introduce shredded spinach to the boiling water, allowing gentle wilting and color preservation.
- Drain orzo and spinach mixture, returning to the pot to preserve residual warmth and prevent cooling.
- Incorporate roasted squash cubes, fragrant garlic oil, and crumbled blue cheese into the orzo, gently folding to ensure even distribution.
- Toss ingredients until blue cheese begins to melt slightly, creating a creamy texture and harmonizing flavors.
- Serve immediately while the dish remains warm, showcasing the vibrant colors and rich, comforting elements of the recipe.
Notes
- Roast squash in advance for meal prep, ensuring cubes are similar sizes for even caramelization.
- Use fresh garlic for maximum flavor intensity, avoiding pre-minced versions which lose potency quickly.
- Experiment with cheese alternatives like goat cheese or feta for different dietary preferences or taste profiles.
- Toast pine nuts or pumpkin seeds as an optional crunchy topping to add textural contrast and nutritional boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg