This dish is an old time favorite, which is very satisfying as well as being very balanced. The spinach, orzo and tomato create a tasty trio. The tomato sauce can be made ahead of time and blended into the orzo when the dish is put together.
Spinach And Orzo Pie Recipe
This spinach and orzo pie is an old time favorite. The spinach, orzo and tomato create a tasty trio.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk to lightly beat the eggs with
- 2 cups cooked orzo about 1 ¼ cup uncooked
- 1.5 cups Tomato Sauce with Herbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 lb spinach leaves blanched and drained, 500 g
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese or any other hard cheese of choice, shredded
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- Sea salt
- pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Cook the orzo and drain.
- Preheat oven to 350 °F / 180 °C.
- Lightly beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of milk.
- In a large bowl combine cooked orzo, egg-milk mixture, 3/4 cup tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.
- Spread mixture evenly into an oiled oven-safe glass dish.
- Next, squeeze all water out of spinach and chop coarsely.
- Mix spinach with ricotta cheese, pine nuts, and nutmeg.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon everything onto orzo mixture, spreading evenly.
- Then spread remaining tomato sauce on spinach layer.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cover the top of the pie with the shredded cheese.
- Return to oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Allow to rest a few minutes before serving.