This Boursin Orzo bake is a tantalizing dish that seamlessly marries the rich, creamy notes of the boursin cheese with the vibrant zest of spinach and lemon-infused orzo. this harmonious medley of flavors will make your mouth water. Each bite is a journey through velvety textures and refreshing citrus undertones. Elevate your week night dinners or impress your guests with this delicious and family friendly recipe that will make your taste buds dance!
My Boursin orzo bake is a versatile delight that transcends seasons, making it a year-round dish. However, its refreshing combination of spinach and lemon lends itself particularly well to the bright and breezy flavors associated with spring and summer. Nevertheless, its comforting nature also makes it a cozy choice during the cooler months, ensuring a delightful experience whenever you choose to indulge.
If you love this recipe you will love my one pan chicken lemon orzo, one pan chicken feta orzo which was inspired by this recipe or my one pan chicken and zucchini orzo.
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Ingredients
- Boursin cheese- plays a crucial role in this recipe by imparting rich, creamy, and herb infused flavors into the orzo bake.
- Orzo (dry): A small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and has a slightly chewy texture.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Tomatoes that have been dried to intensify their flavor, resulting in a sweet and tangy taste.
- Fresh Herbs (Basil, Rosemary, Thyme - minced): A mixture of aromatic herbs, providing a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the dish.
- Garlic Cloves (minced): Adds a pungent and savory flavor to enhance the overall taste of the dish.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors in the dish.
- Pepper: Adds a hint of spiciness and complements other flavors.
- Garlic Powder: A powdered form of garlic, enhancing the garlic flavor in a convenient way.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, providing a classic Italian flavor profile.
- Zest & Juice of one Lemon: Lemon zest contributes a bright, citrusy aroma, while lemon juice adds acidity and freshness.
- Chopped Frozen Spinach: Spinach adds a nutritious element, and using frozen spinach makes it easy to incorporate into the dish.
- Chicken Bone Broth or Chicken Broth: Provides a savory and rich base for the dish.
- Water: Used to adjust the consistency of the dish and balance the flavors.
- Lemon Slices (optional): Additional lemon slices for garnish, offering a visually appealing touch and a burst of citrus flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and set your rack to the middle position.
2. Grab a large baking pan (9×13). Add your boursin cheese to the center of the dish. Next add your orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, minced garlic and seasonings.
3. Next add in your lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh or frozen spinach, chicken bone broth and water. Use a spatula to push down your orzo into the liquid and make sure everything is evenly distributed.
4. Place in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until your orzo is cooked through! Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Mix and serve!
Hint: The dish may appear watery upon pulling the dish out of the oven. Do NOT Panic! This is very normal. Orzo takes some time to absorb all of the water, so trust the process and wait 10 minutes before serving. The orzo will soak up the water and it will come out perfect!
Substitutions
If you are interested in making this boursin orzo bake but you have dietary restrictions, you can make the following substitutions:
- Dairy-Free – Boursin has a dairy-free option that you are welcome to use to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Vegetarian– Use vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- Vegan- Use vegetable broth and substitute for the dairy-free boursin to make this recipe vegan.
- Gluten-free– try using rice instead of orzo to make this recipe gluten-free (I have personally not tried this therefore can not say with certainty this will work).
- Fresh spinach– you can substitute for frozen spinach.
Variations
- Spicy – add red chili flakes to make this recipe spicy.
- Kid friendly – this recipe is kid friendly on it’s own!
- Add Sautéed Chicken– Add sauteed chicken to this recipe OR try my chicken Lemon Orzo bake if you prefer a one pan dish with chicken added!
Equipment
All you need to make this lemon orzo with spinach recipe is a 9×13 ceramic baking dish or pan.
For those that are looking for something similar to the pan I used in my reel, here is a baking dish I found on amazon with great reviews.
If you are meal prepping this spinach lemon orzo, these are some of my favorite glass bento box containers.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.
Storage
You can store this spinach lemon orzo in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
It's best to consume this dish fresh, but you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little water or broth if needed to prevent dryness.
Top tip
This lemon orzo with spinach recipe may appear watery but trust the process and cook just until your orzo is cooked through. Once you remove your pan let it rest for 5 minutes before serving and this will soak up the excess liquid.
FAQ
You can use other small pasta varieties like couscous or even small-shaped regular pasta if orzo is unavailable.
Absolutely! Vegetable broth is a great alternative for a vegetarian version of this dish.
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble them when ready to serve. Keep the orzo separate from the liquid until you're ready to combine and reheat.
You can adjust based on what you have available. Basil, parsley, oregano, or any combination of your favorite herbs can work well.
One Pan Meals
Looking for other easy one pan meals like this? Try these:
Meal Prep
Looking for some other easy meal prep recipes like this? Try these:
Jump to: Recipe
Boursin Orzo
Equipment
- 9x13 ceramic baking dish
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup fresh herbs dill thyme, basil, minced
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ lemon zested & juiced
- 1 lemon sliced to top optional
- ½ cup Sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 Boursin cheese
- 6 oz or ½ a bag chopped frozen spinach
- 1.5 cups orzo dry
- 2 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F and set your rack to the middle position.
- Grab a large baking pan (9×13). Add your boursin cheese to the center of the dish. Next add your orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, minced garlic and seasonings.
- Next add in your lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh or frozen spinach, chicken bone broth and water. Use a spatula to push down your orzo into the liquid and make sure everything is evenly distributed.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until your orzo is cooked through! Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
- Mix and serve!
Notes
Substitutions
If you are interested in making this boursin orzo bake but you have dietary restrictions, you can make the following substitutions:-
- Dairy-Free – Boursin has a dairy-free option that you are welcome to use to make this recipe dairy-free.
-
- Vegetarian– Use vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
-
- Vegan- Use vegetable broth and substitute for the dairy-free boursin to make this recipe vegan.
-
- Gluten-free– try using rice instead of orzo to make this recipe gluten-free (I have personally not tried this therefore can not say with certainty this will work).
-
- Fresh spinach– you can substitute for frozen spinach.
Variations
-
- Spicy – add red chili flakes to make this recipe spicy.
-
- Kid friendly – this recipe is kid friendly on it’s own!
-
- Add Sautéed Chicken– Add sauteed chicken to this recipe OR try my chicken Lemon Orzo bake if you prefer a one pan dish with chicken added!
Equipment
All you need to make this lemon orzo with spinach recipe is a 9×13 ceramic baking dish or pan. For those that are looking for something similar to the pan I used in my reel, here is a baking dish I found on amazon with great reviews. If you are meal prepping this spinach lemon orzo, these are some of my favorite glass bento box containers. Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.Storage
You can store this spinach lemon orzo in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days. It's best to consume this dish fresh, but you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop or inNutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Heather says
The most delicious, easy and healthy recipe! It’s become a staple for my family!
Krista says
Can I double this recipe?
christina.klapper says
Hey Krista! You should absolutely be able to double this recipe!
Chrissy says
Hi is the one cup of water needed? I didn’t see it in the video
christina.klapper says
Hey Krista! Yes I would recommend adding the water in. I didn't film the added water bc it accidentally didn't record but the water will help it cook through evenly 🙂