Description
A comforting and creamy orzo dish that’s quick, easy, and versatile, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2–3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped herbs (like parsley or basil), vegetables (like spinach or peas), or proteins (like grilled chicken or shrimp)
Instructions
- Cook the orzo: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the orzo according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Sauté the garlic: In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Make it creamy: Pour in the broth and heavy cream, stirring gently. Bring to a simmer and whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Combine everything: Add the cooked orzo to the creamy mixture, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water as necessary. Season with salt and pepper.
- Customize: Add any additional ingredients like spinach or grilled chicken, mixing well and heating through.
Notes
Fresh Parmesan cheese melts better and enhances flavor. Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg