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Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo

One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Kale

A delightful one-pot meal combining creamy orzo, butternut squash, kale, and savory herbs, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, & diced (approx 1 pound or 4 cups cubed)
  • 1 large shallot, finely diced
  • 10-12 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 1.5 cups orzo
  • 1 cup dry, unoaked white wine
  • 2.5-3 cups vegetable stock/broth, divided
  • 1 small bunch kale, destemmed & shredded (approx 2 cups chopped)
  • 0.5 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • kosher salt to season
  • ground black pepper to season

Equipment

  • large skillet

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in butternut squash and shallot. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes until shallot is fragrant and butternut squash is fork-tender. Stir in sage and garlic; cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in orzo. Toast orzo for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Deglaze skillet by pouring in white wine while scraping browned bits from the bottom. Simmer until wine is almost completely cooked off, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add 1 cup of vegetable broth/stock and stir frequently until orzo absorbs the liquid. Add remaining stock/broth ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently. Taste for doneness after 10 minutes; orzo should be creamy and al dente.
  4. Once orzo is al dente, stir in shredded kale, grated parmesan, butter, and nutmeg. Remove from heat once kale is wilted and tender. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  5. Portion into individual bowls, topping with additional grated parmesan or a drizzle of browned butter and crispy fried sage leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 6000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Feel free to customize this dish by swapping butternut squash for pumpkin or sweet potatoes, or adding proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp. Experiment with other herbs like thyme or rosemary for a flavor twist.

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