One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

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This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.

an image of the Creamy White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Spinach & Artichokes
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
6
  • This healthy dinner is done in just 30 minutes and requires only one pot for easy cleanup.
  • Cannellini beans are a great source of plant-based protein and other essential nutrients.
  • Toasting the orzo in oil prevents clumping and adds a slightly nutty, delicious flavor to the dish.

Busy weeknights call for quick and easy dinners—and this One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo fits the bill. Tangy sun-dried tomatoes meet sweet shallots to create the foundation of flavor for this dish. Fiber-filled whole-wheat orzo is toothsome and perfectly balances the creamy cannellini beans, while marinated artichoke hearts and balsamic vinegar add a splash of acidity that complements the herby, creamy garlic-and-herb cheese. Spinach and basil add freshness and a pop of color. Best of all, this nutritious recipe is made in one skillet in only 30 minutes, which means your evening just opened up for other things. Keep reading for our expert tips, including ingredient substitutions. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • We call for baby spinach in this recipe, as its leaves are more tender and sweeter than mature spinach.
  • Replace the garlic-and-herb Boursin with cracked pepper Boursin for a flavor profile similar to cacio e pepe.
  • Toasting the orzo gives it a slightly nutty flavor, and coating it in oil helps prevent it from clumping together.
  • The starches from the orzo, along with the cheese, provide the creamy base for this one-pot meal.

Nutrition Notes

  • Cannellini beans are a type of legume and, like all legumes, are a great source of lean plant-based protein. They also bring complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting antioxidants to this dish, making them tiny power-packed packages of nutrition.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes are simply tomatoes that have been salted and dried in the sun or a dehydrator. This concentrates the nutrients in the tomatoes, which include vitamins C and A and fiber. It also gives the tomatoes a slightly chewy texture and tangy zing. 
  • Whole-wheat orzo is a type of pasta shaped like rice. Because this orzo is whole-wheat, it’s higher in fiber than white pasta and white rice. A quarter-cup of whole-wheat orzo has 6 grams of fiber, while the same amount of white rice has virtually none. With that said, all kinds of pasta and types of rice can fit into a varied, balanced diet, since they all contribute a variety of nutrients.
  • Spinach and artichokes are green veggies that bring fiber and inflammation-calming antioxidants to this dish. Both also provide vitamin K, which is necessary for healthy blood clotting and strong bones.
an image of the ingredients to make the Creamy White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Spinach & Artichokes

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomato jar, divided

  • 1 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes in oil

  • 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)

  • 1 cup whole-wheat orzo

  • 3 cups unsalted vegetable broth

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) jar marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach

  • 1 (5.2-ounce) package garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese (such as Boursin) 

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sliced shallot; cook, stirring often, until aromatic and translucent, about 6 minutes.

    an image of the shallots and oil in the nonstick skillet

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  2. Stir in 1 cup orzo; cook, stirring often, until toasted, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, the rinsed beans, the drained artichoke hearts and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the orzo is al dente, about 15 minutes.

    an image of the orzo, broth, beans, tomatoes, and artichokes being stirred together

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  3. Stir in 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach and 1 (5.2-ounce) package cheese. Cook, uncovered and stirring often, until the spinach is wilted and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Top with ¼ cup basil.

    an image of the spinach and cheese being mixed in with the orzo

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use a different type of bean?

    You can use any type of bean, including navy beans and chickpeas. They all work well. We recommend using a no-salt-added version to help reduce sodium intake.

  • What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding broth or a little water if the dish is too thick. Alternatively, microwave leftovers on Medium in 30-second increments until the desired temperature is reached. Remember to stir halfway through the heating process.

  • How can I use up a jar of sun-dried tomatoes?

    Use sun-dried tomatoes and the oil they are packaged to enhance the flavor of many of your favorite dishes. These tomatoes add a burst of flavor and vibrant color to appetizers, soups, sauces, pasta and more. The oil is delicious in salad dressings.

  • What should I serve with creamy orzo?

    For a balanced meal, we’d suggest pairing it with one of our delicious healthy salads, like our Guacamole Chopped Salad or Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad.

EatingWell.com, January 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

468 Calories
14g Fat
66g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1½ cups
Calories 468
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 66g 24%
Dietary Fiber 15g 53%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 24g 48%
Total Fat 14g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Vitamin A 390µg
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 21%
Folate 208µg
Vitamin K 143µg
Sodium 478mg 21%
Calcium 330mg 25%
Iron 7mg 39%
Magnesium 171mg 41%
Potassium 1342mg 29%
Zinc 4mg 34%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.
Sources
EatingWell is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. United States Department of Agriculture. Delalo, biodynamic organic whole wheat pasta, orzo #65