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Cozy Orzo with Roasted Squash

Featured in Pasta Night Made Easy.

This creamy orzo with spinach and roasted squash combines sweet butternut squash, soft orzo, and blue cheese that melts into a rich sauce. Garlic oil adds a punch of flavor. It's a satisfying vegetarian dish, quick for weeknights or great for hosting.
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Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:22:09 GMT
A bowl of creamy orzo with spinach and roasted butternut squash, perfect for cozy meals. Pin it
A bowl of creamy orzo with spinach and roasted butternut squash, perfect for cozy meals. | cookbybook.com

Fall flavors dance together in this soul-warming meal, where soft orzo pairs with caramelized butternut squash and wilted spinach, all brought together with a simple garlic oil and crumbly blue cheese. Every mouthful delivers a perfect mix of textures and autumn comfort.

After trying many versions, I found that dicing the squash into tiny, equal-sized bits makes sure they cook evenly and mix wonderfully with the pasta.

Complete Ingredients Guide

  • Butternut squash: Look for solid, unmarked squash with no shine
  • Orzo: Good pasta that won't turn mushy
  • Spinach: Crisp, green leaves without any soft spots
  • Blue cheese: Soft type that breaks apart easily
  • Garlic: Whole cloves only - bottled stuff won't taste right
  • Olive oil: Extra virgin for richer taste
Smooth and velvety orzo mixed with golden butternut squash and vibrant spinach. Pin it
Smooth and velvety orzo mixed with golden butternut squash and vibrant spinach. | cookbybook.com

Simple Cooking Instructions

Nailing the squash:
Slice into even 1/4-inch pieces. Mix well with oil and spices. Lay flat on baking sheet. Don't crowd the pan. Turn halfway.
Making flavor oil:
Warm oil slowly to stop burning. Keep an eye on garlic. Pull from stove when smells good. Save all garlic pieces for mixing later. Let sit while you work on other things.
Getting orzo just right:
Get water bubbling hard. Add plenty of salt. Stir now and then. Check often for slight firmness. Keep some cooking water before draining.
Putting it all together:
Put spinach in with hot pasta right away. Add squash carefully. Pour garlic oil over top. Sprinkle cheese on last. Mix just until combined.

From cooking this dish so many times, I've noticed that building flavors one by one - from the sweet roasted squash to the tasty oil - makes this meal something you'll want again and again.

Mastering Heat Levels

Getting temperatures right makes all the difference:

  • 425°F makes squash brown perfectly
  • Keep flame tiny when cooking garlic
  • Eat right away while everything's hot
  • Hold onto some pasta water for warming up leftovers

Prep-Ahead Options

You can break up the cooking steps:

  • Cut squash up to 2 days early
  • Cook squash a few hours before dinner
  • Prepare garlic oil ahead of time
  • Do final mixing just before eating

Fixing Common Problems

Soft pasta: Cook it less time. Hard squash: Cut smaller chunks. Dark garlic: Lower your flame. Too dry: Splash in saved pasta water.

Mouthwatering orzo with sweet butternut squash and fresh spinach, ideal for comfort meals. Pin it
Mouthwatering orzo with sweet butternut squash and fresh spinach, ideal for comfort meals. | cookbybook.com

I've made this dish so many times and still love how it balances homey comfort with fancy restaurant vibes. The way the sweet squash works with the tangy cheese while that garlicky oil ties it all together is just magic. Whether you serve it as your main dish or on the side, this orzo shows how basic ingredients, handled with love, can turn into something amazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make it in advance?
It's best hot, but leftovers last 3 days in the fridge. Rewarm with a splash of water or broth.
→ What works instead of blue cheese?
Feta or Parmesan are awesome swaps if blue cheese isn't your thing.
→ Can I cook it with frozen squash?
Absolutely, just keep in mind frozen squash might roast faster than fresh.
→ What goes well with this recipe?
Enjoy it solo with a green salad, or pair with grilled chicken or fish for a heartier meal.
→ Can I switch out the orzo?
Small pasta like ditalini or mini shells works just as well instead of orzo.

Orzo with Roasted Squash

A warm pasta mix of tender orzo, roasted squash, wilted spinach, and tangy blue cheese. Perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion of Italian and American flavors

Yield: 4 Servings (4 hearty bowls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Pasta & Veggies

01 A little over 2 cups of butternut squash, chopped into 1/4-inch tiny cubes
02 1 cup orzo pasta, choose either whole-wheat or regular
03 2 cups fresh spinach, loosely torn into pieces

→ Flavor Boosters

04 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
05 3 tablespoons olive oil (go for a good one)
06 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
07 A little under 1/4 teaspoon crushed black pepper

→ Cheesy Goodness

08 1/3 cup of blue cheese, crumbled up

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 425°F. Coat the small squash cubes with olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of pepper. Lay them out on a tray and bake them for 35-40 minutes until they’re soft with a bit of golden color.

Step 02

Add minced garlic to a pan with the rest of the olive oil and warm it up over low heat until it smells amazing, then let it sit to soak up the flavors.

Step 03

Boil a large pot of salted water. Throw in the orzo pasta and cook until it’s the perfect texture. Add the spinach in the last minute to soften it up.

Step 04

Drain the orzo and spinach, then pour it back into the pot. Toss in the roasted squash, garlic oil you made earlier, and crumbled blue cheese. Stir gently until the cheese becomes a little melty. Serve while it’s warm and super tasty.

Notes

  1. If blue cheese isn’t your style, you could swap it for feta or some grated Parmesan.
  2. Leftovers can hang out in the refrigerator for up to 3 days as long as they’re in a good container.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big tray for the oven
  • A frying pan
  • A pot large enough for the pasta

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy in the blue cheese
  • Orzo pasta includes gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 8 g