Orzo with Parmesan and Basil

Orzo with Parmesan and Basil
  • PREP TIME
    5 mins
  • COOK TIME
    30 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    35 mins
  • SERVING
    4 People
  • VIEWS
    6.6K

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this incredibly simple yet satisfying Orzo with Parmesan and Basil. This dish transforms humble ingredients into a creamy, flavorful experience, reminiscent of a Mediterranean macaroni and cheese. It’s quick, customizable, and sure to become a family favorite.

Ingridients

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Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    42 g
  • Cholesterol
    24 mg
  • Fiber
    2 g
  • Protein
    12 g
  • Saturated Fat
    6 g
  • Sodium
    197 mg
  • Sugar
    2 g
  • Fat
    9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

DIRECTIONS

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Image Step 01
01 Step

Recipe View In a heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. (2 minutes)

Image Step 02
02 Step

Recipe View Add the orzo and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and toasted. This will enhance the nutty flavor of the pasta. (3-5 minutes)

Image Step 03
03 Step

Recipe View Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the orzo is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed. (15-20 minutes)

Image Step 04
04 Step

Recipe View Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the chopped basil until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy. (1 minute)

Image Step 05
05 Step

Recipe View Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that Parmesan cheese is salty, so adjust accordingly.

Image Step 06
06 Step

Recipe View Transfer the orzo to a shallow serving bowl. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth or vegetable broth.
To make a vegetarian version, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Feel free to add other vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or peas for extra nutrients and flavor.
For a quicker cooking time, you can use pre-cooked orzo, but be sure to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly.
If you omit the basil, you'll have a delicious, simple Parmesan orzo, perfect as a side dish or light meal.

Derrick Denesik

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 2.2K Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Corrine Tillman

    My kids loved this! I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make it vegetarian.

  • Carolanne Shanahan

    I doubled the recipe for a family gathering and it was a huge hit!

  • Bette Wunsch

    A great base recipe. I like to add a little garlic when sauteing the orzo.

  • Lauren Boyer

    This is my go-to side dish when I need something quick and impressive.

  • Chelsie Langosh

    I added some sun-dried tomatoes for an extra Mediterranean flair. It was amazing!

  • Britney Wolff

    Simple yet delicious! I recommend using high-quality Parmesan for the best flavor.

  • Lyric Spinka

    This recipe is so easy and quick! I added a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for a little extra zing.

  • Lessie Cremin

    The toasting of the orzo really makes a difference! Don't skip that step.

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