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Colorful plate of creamy orzo with roasted butternut squash, zucchini, and spinach

Healthy Orzo with Butternut Squash, Zucchini & Spinach


  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A vibrant, nutritious one-pot pasta dish featuring tender orzo simmered in savory broth and combined with roasted butternut squash, sautéed zucchini, and wilted spinach. Easy to adapt for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets, this comforting meal is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or holiday sides.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 4 cups fresh spinach (baby or roughly chopped)
  • 1½ cups orzo pasta (regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
  • 23 tablespoons olive oil
  • 34 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
  • 23 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or basil), chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper; spread on a baking sheet and roast 20–25 minutes until golden, flipping halfway.

    2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.

    3. Add zucchini slices to skillet, season with salt and pepper, and sauté 4–5 minutes until tender; remove and set aside.

    4. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and toast the orzo for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously.

    5. Pour in broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook orzo 10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

    6. Stir roasted squash and sautéed zucchini into the orzo, then add spinach and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted.

    7. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan or nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.

    8. Serve warm, garnished with extra herbs or cheese if desired.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 350
    • Sodium: 550
    • Fat: 12
    • Carbohydrates: 50
    • Protein: 10