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This PARMESAN ORZO is a simple, comforting side dish that’s cheesy, creamy, and so easy! It’s ready in just 20 minutes and the whole family gobbles this one up!
We’re all about keeping dinner time interesting around here by switching up the side dishes.
I can serve the same old grilled chicken night after night and my family will never complain so long as I mix things up with the side dishes.
We have loads of easy side dish recipes that are perfect for busy nights and I love adding new dishes to the rotation.
This Parmesan Orzo is one of those staple recipes that we make again and again. It’s beyond simple and the whole family absolutely loves the creamy, cheesy orzo.
The creamy Parmesan reminds me a bit of pasta tossed in our homemade Alfredo sauce, but this is somehow even easier since it all cooks in one pot!
Ingredients for Parmesan Basil Orzo:
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Orzo – Our main ingredient, this rice shaped pasta is perfect with some Parmesan.
Basil – Some fresh, chopped basil is the perfect herb to accompany this dish!
Parmesan – Freshly grated is the way to go!
Chicken Broth – The orzo pasta will soak up all the chicken broth and infuse it with tons of flavor.
What Readers are Saying!
“I made this as a side dish for dinner tonight and it was very good! I will make it again. Thanks for the recipe!” – Susan G.
How to Cook Orzo with Parmesan & Basil:
Toast: Let’s start by heating up the butter in a saucepan and stirring in the orzo. Allow it to cook, stirring often, until it begins to turn a lightly toasted golden brown. Toasting the orzo will add a slightly nutty flavor to the pasta!
Simmer: Once you’ve toasted the orzo pasta you can go ahead and pour in the chicken broth. Give it a good stir and cover the pan. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until all of the chicken broth has been absorbed by the pasta!
Serve: All that’s left to do is stir in the Parmesan cheese, the freshly chopped basil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Keep stirring until the Parmesan cheese has melted and you are done. Be sure to serve the cheesy, herby Parmesan orzo while it’s still good and hot!
FAQs:
I always make this recipe as a side dish but it doesn’t have to be! You could easily scale things up by adding some extra ingredients like chicken or pork or some veggies!
Nope, you can get by with the dried stuff but it’s definitely better fresh!
It’s shaped like rice, but it’s actually pasta! The word orzo means u0022Barleyu0022 in Italian. Orzo is also sometimes called Risoni. It does contain gluten, though they do make gluten free varieties!
MORE FAVORITE PASTA RECIPES!
Parmesan Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted.
- Add the chicken broth to the pan and cover.
- Cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid has absorbed.
- Stir in the Parmesan, basil, and salt and pepper.
- Continue stirring until the Parmesan has melted.
- Serve hot.
Janel Sonichsen says
Absolutely LOVED this orzo side dish! I used my fresh basil and also added some garlic powder. I doubled it for my family and there was none left! Will definitely make again and again! Thank you!
Karly says
That’s great to hear! Thanks for the review, Janel!
Cheryl says
I made your Parmesan Orzo last night for dinner and added shredded chicken to it. I browned the orzo in butter more-so than what your photo shows and this turned out to be a delicious and unique flavor. This is a recipe that will go into my cookbook of “Favorite Recipes.”
Karly says
Love to hear that, Cheryl! 🙂
Pamala says
Making this tonight. Love your new photo. You look beautiful!
Karly says
Thank you so much, Pamala! That’s so sweet! 🙂
rashmi says
dish looks nice i will try making it thanks for posting its recipe
Heather // girlichef says
Oh, I love simple, flavorful sides like your orzo…though I imagine I’d just heap it into a big bowl and eat it as a meal! No death glare from this direction ;).
Leigh says
Just made this for dinner.I walked away from the pot, and ended up burning the orzo. Oops, it was only a little. Still a very delicious recipe, even when I used dried basil and grated Parmesan.
marcie says
I love orzo side dishes, Karly, and I love what you’ve done with this one! Looks delicious. 🙂
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Eating what you grow is so satisfying. I would make this orzo dish. I love the creaminess.
Joanne says
This looks so creamy delicious! And I love that it’s kid approved. not that I have kids but..the.boy is kind of like one. 😛
Susan G. says
I made this as a side dish for dinner tonight and it was very good! I will make it again. Thanks for the recipe!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
aw I’m so jealous of your basil plants!
and mmmm mmmm mmmmm this orzo!!!
Belinda@themoonblushbaker says
It must be so rewarding to eat what you grow. I also have one of these mini gardens.They such a saver for the cooks lacking the green thumb.
Your pasta looks delish!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Love this dish! Orzo works perfectly with simple flavours like this. Could definitely see myself eating my way through a big bowlful of this! 🙂
Cookbook Queen says
That little garden is the coolest thing ever!! LOVE!!
kelly @ kellybakes says
This orzo looks and sounds amazing, Karly! I love any combination of cheese + carbs, so you won me over there, but the pop of basil takes it over the top 🙂