CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC & SPINACH ORZO

Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach Orzo image

This side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. -Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

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

Steps:

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges