One Pan Risoni with Smoked Garlic and Spinach

Name: One Pan Risoni with Smoked Garlic and Spinach
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 2 cups risoni; 3 cloves smoked garlic, finely chopped; 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock; 1 cup fresh spinach; 1/2 cup cream or parmesan; 1 tablespoon olive oil; salt and pepper to taste

This quick and easy one-pan risoni is the perfect weeknight meal. Roasted smoked garlic brings a touch of comfort and sophistication to this dish, making it perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in. Enjoy it as a complete meal or a hearty side dish. Flavourful and minimal cleanup!

Made with smoked garlic – explore more ways to cook with smoked garlic or browse our smoked garlic products.

Ingredients

1 whole Smoked garlic bulb
1 tsp plus 1 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 3/4 cups orzo / risoni, uncooked
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
85 g / 3 oz cream cheese, cubed
250 g / 8 oz frozen spinach (1 box), thawed, excess water squeezed out
1/4 cup parmesan cheese , grated
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
LBSH Smoked black pepper, freshly cracked
Garnish
Extra parmesan cheese
Finely chopped parsley

Directions

Roast the Garlic
Preheat oven to 220ºC. Leaving the papery outer skin of garlic bulb intact, cut the bulb in half, 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.
Cook Risoni Pasta
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.
Make it creamy
Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add spinach, parmesan cheese, milk, salt, pepper and roasted smoked garlic; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.
Garnish
Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and fresh finely chopped parsley, if desired.

Why Smoked Garlic Works in This Recipe

Smoked garlic adds a rich, savoury depth to this one pan risoni, enhancing the creamy texture while bringing a gentle smoky warmth that pairs beautifully with spinach. It transforms a simple dish into something more layered and flavourful. Learn more about how to cook with smoked garlic in our smoked garlic guide.

Featured Ingredient

This recipe features the smooth, savoury flavour of LittleBig Smokehouse Smoked Garlic. Slowly smoked to enhance its natural sweetness, it adds depth and warmth to everyday dishes like this one pan risoni.