Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach Orzo Recipe

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• 1 whole garlic bulb
• 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1-3/4 cups uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta
• 2-1/2 cups chicken stock
• 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 1 package (9 ounces) fresh spinach, trimmed and chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
• 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic pepper seasoning blend
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°. Remove papery outer skin from garlic bulb, but do not peel or separate the cloves. Cut off top of garlic bulb, exposing individual cloves. Drizzle cut cloves with 1 teaspoon oil. Wrap in foil. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cloves are soft. Unwrap. When cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic from skins.
In a Dutch oven, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add pasta; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add spinach, Asiago cheese, milk, seasoning blend, salt and roasted garlic; cook and stir until spinach is wilted. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 6 servings.