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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Jan 29, 2024 by Angela Latimer · 1 Comment

Creamy Parmesan Orzo

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Best Parmesan orzo recipe pin with two images of the creamy pasta side dish garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

This creamy Parmesan orzo features small, tender pasta coated with rich, tasty cheese sauce. This is an easy, one-pot meal. It's so quick to make and ready in less than 30 minutes!

Serve it with baked panko chicken, shake & bake chicken, or even a NY strip steak! Enjoy!

Best parmesan orzo pasta side dish served on grey plate with fresh chopped parsley.
This Parmesan orzo features tender pasta and a rich and creamy sauce!
Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Parmesan Orzo
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍝 More Pasta Recipe
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Quick, one-pot recipes are perfect for those busy weeknight meals where you must throw together a dinner for the family at the last minute!

This Parmesan orzo is ready to go in under 30 minutes and is made entirely in one pot (so you won't have a ton of dishes to clean!)

Enjoy it as a side dish, or just eat it by itself! I like to toss in some leftover chicken I may have on hand to load it up with protein, but it is super tasty, too!

🥘 Ingredients

This creamy pasta dish uses some common ingredients besides your orzo pasta! Check for orzo on the pasta aisle of your local grocery store.

Parmesan orzo ingredients measured out and ready to combine and cook until tender.
  • Chicken Broth - 2½ cups of chicken broth.
  • Orzo Pasta - 1½ cups of uncooked orzo pasta.
  • Garlic - 2 teaspoons of finely minced garlic.
  • Salt - ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
  • Heavy Cream - ⅓ cup of heavy cream.
  • Parmesan Cheese - ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.
  • Basil (optional) - ¼ cup of fresh basil, chopped.
  • Parsley - 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley or basil for garnish.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Parmesan Orzo

This one-pot meal couldn't be any easier to whip up! You will need a medium-sized skillet, a wooden spoon, and measuring cups!

This recipe is for 4 servings, but you can easily stretch it further by adding your favorite protein!

Parmesan orzo process photo 1 add orzo and seasoning in a skillet.
1
Parmesan orzo process photo 2 add broth.
2
Parmesan orzo process photo 3 bring to a simmer.
3
Parmesan orzo process photo 4 cook until al dente.
4
Parmesan orzo process photo 5 add Parmesan and herbs.
5
Parmesan orzo process photo 6 stir until melted and combined then serve immediately.
6
  1. Mix. In a medium-sized skillet, mix 2½ cups of chicken broth, 1½ cups of orzo pasta, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is cooked to your preference (stirring occasionally).
  3. Stir. Remove from the heat and stir in ⅓ cup of heavy cream, ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, and the optional ¼ cup of chopped basil.
  4. Serve. Garnish with 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • You can add in some veggies to add some extra flavor and nutrition! Try it with some peas, tomatoes, asparagus, grated carrots, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, and more!
  • This dish is incredibly versatile! Add your favorite protein for a well-rounded meal. I recommend chicken, bacon, or sausage!
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for added spice!
Wide closeup overhead image of the Parmesan orzo in skillet with wooden spatula.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. 

Reheat your leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream, stirring frequently until heated. 

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ Recipe FAQs

Is Orzo A Grain Or A Noodle?

The appearance of orzo may lead you to believe that it is a type of rice. However, orzo is just a small type of pasta! It can be made from whole grain, white, or semolina flour.

Where Can I Buy Orzo?

Many grocery stores carry orzo pasta. However, it can sometimes be more difficult to find. You can usually ask the store to order it for you (for free) or buy it online.

Are Orzo And Risotto The Same?

Nope! While they do look incredibly similar, they are two completely different things. Risotto is made from short-grain rice (such as arborio), and orzo is a wheat-based pasta.

Tasty Parmesan orzo pasta side dish served in grey plate and garnished with fresh chopped parsley with the skillet in background.

🍝 More Pasta Recipe

I have so many different pasta recipes and pasta side dishes you can check out! Here are a few of my favorites!

  • Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta - Tender shrimp are tossed with spaghetti and coated in a lemon garlic sauce!
  • Pasta e Fagioli Soup - A hearty soup that features small pasta, veggies, meat, and beans!
  • Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo - Perfectly cooked chicken is mixed with fettuccine noodles and homemade alfredo sauce!
  • Crockpot Mac & Cheese - Prepare this gooey, rich pasta dish in your slow cooker!
  • Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs - A simple casserole with spaghetti, pasta sauce, and flavorful meatballs!
  • Lasagna - Lasagna noodles are layered with cheese and hearty meat sauce!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Wide closeup overhead image of the Parmesan orzo in skillet with wooden spatula.
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Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 4 reviews

Parmesan Orzo

This Parmesan orzo features small, tender pasta that has been coated in a rich, creamy, and oh-so-tasty cheese sauce! It's a simple one-pot recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes! Enjoy it as a side dish, paired with some bread, or as the main course itself!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 313kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 2½ cups chicken broth
  • 1½ cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
  • 2 teaspoon garlic (finely minced)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • ¼ cup basil (optional, chopped)
  • 2 tablespoon parsley (chopped, or basil)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized skillet, mix together the chicken broth, orzo pasta, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
    Parmesan orzo process photo 2 add broth.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is cooked to your preference (stirring occasionally).
    Parmesan orzo process photo 3 bring to a simmer.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and the optional chopped basil.
    Parmesan orzo process photo 5 add Parmesan and herbs.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can add in some veggies to add some extra flavor and nutrition! Try it with some peas, tomatoes, asparagus, grated carrots, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, and more!
  • This dish is incredibly versatile! Add your favorite protein for a well-rounded meal. I recommend chicken, bacon, or sausage!
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes for some added spice!
  • To store: Keep any leftover Parmesan orzo stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. 
  • To reheat: Reheat your leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream, stirring frequently until heated. 

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) | Protein: 11g (22%) | Fat: 10g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg (10%) | Sodium: 946mg (41%) | Potassium: 200mg (6%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 592IU (12%) | Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) | Calcium: 114mg (11%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Dinner Recipes, Entrees, Main Course, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine American
« Easter Mini Egg Cake
Orgeat Syrup »

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    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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  1. Woringer says

    October 27, 2024 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    Très facile à réaliser , j'ai suivi votre recette et j'ai simplement rajouté des champignons de paris que j'avais fait poêlé auparavant
    Un grand merci
    "Very easy to make, I followed your recipe and simply added button mushrooms that I had previously fried.
    Many thanks."

    Reply

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Best Parmesan orzo recipe pin with two images of the creamy pasta side dish garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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