Make this Easy Cheesy Orzo pasta recipe to bring the whole family to the table! It will be your GO-TO on all those busy back to school nights!!
With only one pot and just 20 minutes, this creamy Cheesy Orzo is the perfect weeknight side! Lightly flavored with garlic, onion, and two types of cheese, orzo pasta is delicious on its own or pairs especially well with grilled meat and roasted vegetables or simply a salad.
With only one pot and just 20 minutes, this creamy Cheesy Orzo is the perfect weeknight side! Lightly flavored with garlic, onion, and two types of cheese, orzo pasta is delicious on its own or pairs especially well with grilled meat and roasted vegetables or simply a salad.
What is Orzo?
Orzo (Risoni) is a short pasta with tapered ends similar in shape to a large grain of rice. It is incredibly versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways. From salads and soups to delicious sides and weeknight meals, this pasta shape is especially common in many cuisines throughout the Mediterranean. Like my Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan recipe, the orzo is lightly toasted and simmered in chicken stock so only one pot is needed!
How to make Cheesy Orzo
This Cheesy Orzo comes together so easily in only 20 minutes!- Drizzle the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, 30 seconds to one minute.
- Stir in the UNCOOKED orzo to coat in the oil and lightly toast. Be careful to not let it burn.
- Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom, until most of the stock has absorbed and the orzo is tender, 10-15 minutes.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar and grated parmesan. Season as needed with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley or basil.
Cheesy Orzo Recipe Tips
- Stay nearby while the orzo is simmering. You need to stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, especially as the level of liquid decreases.
- Most of the chicken stock will absorb, but you don't want the pasta to become completely dry. You will need a bit of the remaining creamy stock to melt the cheese and coat the orzo.
- I folded in 1/2 cup Cheddar and 1/2 cup Parmesan. If desired, you can omit the Cheddar and mix in a full cup of Parmesan cheese.
- How much salt you add will depend on the salt content of your chicken stock. Adjust as needed to taste. Remember that the cheese contains salt as well.
What to pair with the Cheesy Orzo
This Cheesy Orzo is delicious on its own paired simply with a salad. You can even mix additional roasted vegetables right into the orzo to make a more filling meal such as spinach, tomatoes (plus fresh basil), asparagus, broccoli, and more. It is also perfect alongside grilled meat or poultry. We love to pair this cheesy orzo pasta recipe with Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs for a quick and easy weeknight meal everyone loves!Looking for more orzo recipes?
Try these...- One of the quickest and easiest side dishes I have in my recipe box is Garlic and Parmesan Orzo with Fresh Veggies
- Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is all the comfort food goodness of chicken pot pie mixed with short cut orzo pasta for a family favorite meal that's super easy to make!
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad Packed with plenty of bright greens, crumbled feta cheese, and orzo tossed in a lemony dressing, this pasta dish comes together in less than 30 minutes for a light and refreshing spring or summer side.
- Domatosoupa Me Kritharaki (Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo) is a flavorful tomato soup with pasta. It is packed with vegetables and has a bit of creaminess from the addition of Greek yogurt
Click here to subscribe
Yield: 4
Cheesy Orzo
With only one pot and 20 minutes, this creamy Cheesy Orzo is the perfect weeknight side! Lightly flavored with garlic, onion, and two types of cheese, orzo pasta is delicious on its own or pairs especially well with grilled meat and roasted vegetables or simply a salad.
prep time: 5 Mcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 20 M
ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups dried orzo a little less than a 16 ounce box
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for serving
instructions:
How to cook Cheesy Orzo
- Drizzle the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Stir in the dried orzo to coat in the oil and toast lightly.
- Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook, stirring often to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom, until the orzo is tender and most of the stock is absorbed, 10-15 minutes.
- Fold in the shredded Cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and a creamy sauce coats the orzo. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
NOTES:
Adapted from Cake 'n Knife
1. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot
2. Most of the chicken stock will absorb, but you don't want the pasta to become completely dry. You will need a bit of the remaining creamy stock to melt the cheese and coat the orzo.
3. I folded in 1/2 cup Cheddar and 1/2 cup Parmesan. If desired, you can omit the Cheddar and mix in a full cup of Parmesan cheese.
4. Keep in mind, how much salt you add will depend on the salt content of your chicken stock. Adjust as needed to taste. Remember that the cheese contains salt as well, so keep tasting as you go.
1. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot
2. Most of the chicken stock will absorb, but you don't want the pasta to become completely dry. You will need a bit of the remaining creamy stock to melt the cheese and coat the orzo.
3. I folded in 1/2 cup Cheddar and 1/2 cup Parmesan. If desired, you can omit the Cheddar and mix in a full cup of Parmesan cheese.
4. Keep in mind, how much salt you add will depend on the salt content of your chicken stock. Adjust as needed to taste. Remember that the cheese contains salt as well, so keep tasting as you go.
Calories
409.81
409.81
Fat (grams)
18.14
18.14
Sat. Fat (grams)
6.32
6.32
Carbs (grams)
42.96
42.96
Fiber (grams)
1.57
1.57
Net carbs
41.39
41.39
Sugar (grams)
4.92
4.92
Protein (grams)
17.91
17.91
Sodium (milligrams)
696.84
696.84
Cholesterol (grams)
31.04
31.04
Nutrition label disclaimer: Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
COPYRIGHT © 2018 Life Tastes Good
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your thoughts! Comments are moderated, so I don't miss anything. I like to read each and every one!
When you leave a comment on a blog post, please be aware that the comment is then public and visible to anyone who reads the comment section. Your email address is never shared or disclosed, but your name and comment will be visible to others. You may choose to leave your comment anonymously. It is highly recommended that you avoid leaving detailed personal information in your comments. For more information please read Life Tastes Good's Privacy Policy before leaving a comment > Life Tastes Good's Privacy Policy
I reserve the right to remove comments deemed as inappropriate, threatening, profane, or spammy without notice.
Thanks! I hope it's a great day!! ~Marion