Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Orzo – Simple Aspect Dish

Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Orzo is a flavor-packed, fast, and straightforward facet dish recipe that is prepared in 20 minutes. It pairs effectively with nearly any protein. Add a veggie and dinner’s finished!

bowl of creamy parmesan garlic orzo

At my home, we depend on the “dinner trifecta” a number of nights per week. Pairing protein with greens and a carb means dinner comes collectively rapidly and is mostly (often…hopefully?) loved by everybody.

I’m at all times making an attempt to consider concepts for the carb portion that transcend rice, buttered noodles, or buttered bread (inform me you’re an elder millennial with out telling me).

Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Orzo is simply as easy, however filled with WOW taste.

This creamy, comforting facet dish is prepared in 20 minutes and goes with nearly any protein. Step again, buttered bread!

creamy parmesan garlic orzo on a plate with chicken and asparagus

Pin this now to seek out it later

Pin It

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Fast and straightforward. Very mac-and-cheese-esque with almost not one of the work. Plus it’s prepared from begin to end in about 20 minutes.
  2. Household-friendly. The mixture of garlic, butter, and pasta is at all times successful at my home.
  3. Luxurious. This orzo facet is tremendous creamy and opulent tasting, however the whole recipe requires simply 2 Tablespoons of half-and-half!
  4. Versatile. Serve alongside every part from beef to hen, pork, or seafood.

Predominant Substances Wanted

I virtually at all times have every part wanted to whip up this creamy orzo facet dish readily available. Listed below are the principle elements:

  • Orzo: I exploit gluten-free brown rice orzo. See under for my favourite model, and what kind of orzo to keep away from.
  • Garlic and butter: add cozy, craveable taste to the dish.
  • Rooster broth: is used to prepare dinner the orzo as an alternative of water for optimum taste. Rooster inventory works too.
  • Parmesan cheese: provides savory taste, and a creamy texture.
  • Half-and-half: provides the orzo a wealthy and creamy end. You solely want just a little.
  • Lemon: brightens up the dish because the very finish. That is non-obligatory, however value it, imo!
creamy orzo on a plate

What to Serve it With

Creamy orzo is the right plate companion with actually any protein, whether or not or not it’s hen, beef, pork, or seafood. Listed below are some recipes to get you began:

serving plate of creamy orzo

Pair with Crispy Baked Rooster Thighs

Find out how to Make Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Orzo

Step 1: Saute garlic in butter.

Begin by melting butter in a medium-size pan over medium warmth. Add minced garlic then saute till mild golden brown. Ensure to not overcook or burn the garlic. There’s no turning again if that occurs!

Add hen broth, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt then flip the warmth as much as carry the inventory to a simmer.

garlic sauting in butter

Step 2: Add the orzo.

As soon as the broth is simmering, stir in orzo. I like Jovial Brown Rice Orzo, which is gluten free. Place a lid on prime of the pot, flip the warmth right down to low, then gently simmer till the orzo is tender, 15-17 minutes, stirring typically.

Orzo Tip

Jovial additionally has a cassava-based orzo, however I don’t love the style or texture. Persist with the brown rice product as an alternative!

box of jovial brown rice pasta

Step 3: End the dish.

As soon as the orzo is tender, take away the lid, flip off the warmth, then stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese. Subsequent add half-and-half then stir to mix.

cooked orzo with parmesan and cream

Lastly, squeeze in a little bit of recent lemon juice. The orzo shouldn’t style lemony, simply brightened. That is non-obligatory, however I believe it provides to the general taste of the dish.

Give the orzo one final style then add extra salt if wanted.

creamy parmesan garlic orzo in a pot

That’s all she wrote. Simple as that! Scoop onto plates and serve.

Find out how to Retailer and Reheat

Switch any leftovers to a storage container with a lid then refrigerate.

To reheat, add a splash of hen broth or half-and-half then microwave till heat.

close up photo of creamy parmesan garlic orzo

Extra Simple Aspect Dish Concepts

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • 2 cups hen broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup (6.5oz) gluten-free brown rice orzo, Jovial advisable, see notes
  • 2 Tablespoons half-and-half OR heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, not powdered parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 recent lemon, non-obligatory
  • Soften the butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium warmth. Add the garlic then prepare dinner whereas stirring continuously till it turns into mild golden brown – be extraordinarily cautious to not burn the garlic. Add the hen broth, dried parsley, and salt then stir to mix. Flip the warmth as much as excessive to carry the broth to a simmer.

  • As soon as simmering, add the orzo then stir to mix. Place a lid on prime of the pot, flip the warmth right down to low, then gently simmer till the orzo is tender, 15-17 minutes, stirring typically and including a splash extra hen broth close to the tip if wanted. Be sure you preserve the warmth on low to take care of a really light simmer.

  • Flip the warmth off then add the parmesan cheese and stir to mix. Add the half-and-half then stir to mix. Squeeze in a little bit of recent lemon juice, if utilizing, then stir to mix. Style then add extra salt if wanted. Scoop onto plates then serve – the orzo will thicken because it cools.

  • Jovial has a cassava flour orzo pasta, which I don’t love, nor do I like to recommend for this dish. I a lot want their Brown Rice Orzo.

Energy: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 8g, Fats: 9g, Saturated Fats: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 2g, Trans Fats: 0.2g, Ldl cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 598mg, Potassium: 135mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 259IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 1mg

Dietary values are estimates solely. Please learn our full diet info disclaimer.

photo collage creamy parmesan garlic orzo

Like this recipe? Share it with mates!

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles