Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo is a quick and comforting side dish recipe that gets ready in just 15-minutes. This creamy and delicious Orzo recipe is a crowd pleaser and goes perfect with Chicken Drumsticks or Roasted Veggies or Mashed Potatoes or salad. Sometimes, I also serve this as a main dish along with some Chicken Parmesan, and it's so so so perfect for a comforting dinner!
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
If you are looking to make something really easy and comforting and you're really short of time, you should make this Orzo.
Orzo is my favorite pasta. It cooks really fast (even quicker than rice), and holds on to the flavors brilliantly. Of course, it's super comforting, so easily available, and always a crowd-pleaser. Also try these favorite Orzo recipe of mine like this Spring time fav Lemon Spinach Orzo Soup or this One Pot Creamy Italian Garlic Chicken Thighs with Toasted Orzo or this Orzo Feta Chicken with Lemon which makes for a great spring summer recipe or this Spinach Ricotta Orzo Stuffed Peppers which is just the perfect weeknight dinner I keep making on repeat...!
If you haven't been using Orzo, then you should. Today! These adorable little rice-shaped grains are Pasta but look like Rice Grains. They puff up after they get cooked and holds on to any sauce with perfection. It tastes especially good in creamy sauces such as this Garlic Parmesan Sauce. Basically, these are the next name for comfort food 🙂 just like this Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice Baked and this Easy Crockpot Chicken Thighs in Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce (just 4-ingredients)
This Garlic Parmesan Orzo is so easy to make perfect weeknight dinner. Garlic truly amps up the flavors of the dish and of course, that cheesy and comforting taste of Parmesan is to die for! Just so perfect for a quick side dish.
Ingredients needed to make Garlic Parmesan Orzo
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 2 medium-sized onions finely chopped
- 7-8 cloves Garlic minced
- 1½ cup Orzo dry
- 1½ cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1½ cup Half and Half
- 1½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon Salt adjust as per taste
- 1 teaspoon Freshly cracked black pepper
- Chopped Parsley for garnish
How to cook Orzo?
You can cook Orzo just like you cook rice or lentil. However, you do not have to cook it in salted water until al dente and then add it to the sauce. Rather, you can toast it lightly and then cook it with broth until it puffs up and gets al dente. This takes just about 5-10 minutes to get cooked and is so delicious and comforting to eat.
Also, it holds to the sauce really well. Weather you're making a Tomato Basil Sauce or a Garlic Parmesan Sauce or an Alfredo Sauce, this will soak up all the flavors and be so delcious!
How to make Garlic Parmesan Orzo
You can find the detailed printable recipe below
So this really easy recipe begins by sauteeing the onions and garlic with some butter and olive oil. As the onions caramelize and the garlic gets fragrant, you add the Orzo and toast it until it gets light golden brown.
Next, you add the Half and Half and the Chicken Broth. Finally, just season this with Salt & Pepper and Cover cook this for 5-10 minutes.
After that, just turn off the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan Cheese!
Serve hot with chopped Parsley on top!
Isn't this just so easy to make. It's just the easiest ever recipe and is so great!
I hope you liked this recipe and shall make it soon. If you happen to make this recipe, then comment below and rate this recipe. Also, tag me with #recipemagik on Instagram.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 2 medium sized onions finely chopped
- 7-8 cloves Garlic minced
- 1½ cup Orzo dry
- 1½ cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1½ cup Half and Half
- 1½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon Salt adjust as per taste
- 1 teaspoon Freshly cracked black pepper
- Chopped Parsley for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the Olive oil and butter in a skillet. As the oil shimmers, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauce over medium-low heat for 2-3 min, until the garlic, gets fragrant and the onions turn slightly caramelized.
- Add the Orzo, stir, and toast it until it gets light golden brown in color and there is a nutty aroma for 2 min over low heat.
- Add the Chicken broth & Half and Half. Stir to combine. Season with Salt & Pepper. Bring it to a boil, cover cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- You can add heavy cream if you wish to, just reduce the amount of half and half.
- You can add other veggies like Spinach or Asparagus or Mushrooms or Green Beans to this. Add them while sauteeing the onions and cook them until they tenderize.
- You can add chicken as well. Add them along with the Onions and cook thoroughly before adding the Orzo.
- You can store this for 3-4 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
- You cannot freeze this because this is made with cream and unfortunately cream doesn't freeze well.
Nutrition
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