This Cheesy Orzo recipe is a simple recipe that is a solid favorite of the whole family. When it comes to comfort and flavor, the combination of orzo pasta with fresh basil and parmesan cheese is hard to pass up.
โค๏ธ Why you'll love it
Simple ingredients: just a few simple ingredients combined with this rice-shaped pasta creates an incredibly flavorful side dish!
Fresh flavors: the fresh basil give this delicious side dish a pop of freshness.
Creamy comfort: a creamy parmesan orzo pasta is the best way to enjoy a bowl of comfort food!
๐ฅย Ingredients
Orzo: this is a rice-shaped pasta that you can find in the dried pasta section of the grocery store.
Unsalted butter
Vegetable broth
Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil
๐ชย How to Make Cheesy Orzo Pasta
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter in until bubbly.
- Add orzo and toast pasta until golden brown.
- Carefully stir in vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer pasta 15 minutes, until broth is absorbed and pasta is al dente.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
๐ฅ Equipment
Large skillet
Wooden spoon
Microplane zester
Cutting board
Sharp knife
๐ฅซStorage
Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Reheat: reheat in a microwave safe dish until warmed through.
๐ Variations
Cheesy Cream Sauce: for a creamy orzo recipe, add a dollop of softened cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream to the sauce.
Cheesy garlic orzo: add a few cloves of minced fresh garlic to the orzo pasta when it is being sautรฉed in the skillet
Herb variation: substitute fresh thyme or any of your favorite fresh herbs for the fresh basil.
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo: steamed chopped broccoli or fresh peas are a delicious addition to stir into this pasta dish.
Protein power: make this a main dish by adding your favorite cooked protein. Cooked chicken or shrimp are great choices.
Cheese variations: substitute asiago, mozzarella, cheddar, or colby jack cheese for the parmesan.
๐ญ Tips
- Be sure to toast the orzo pasta in the skillet - its what gives it that delicious nutty flavor!
๐ More Easy Pasta Recipes
โOrzo Chicken Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing is a great main dish pasta salad recipe.
Tamarind Tofu Cabbage Bowl is a bowlful of flavorful tofu and cabbage tossed with orzo pasta.
This Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi recipe is tossed with cooked orzo pasta for a toothsome bite!
Enjoy a side of this Cheesy Italian bread with your next bowl of pasta!
๐ฝ Serve with..
There are several different ways you can enjoy thisย cheesy side dishย recipe, below just a few suggestions:
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an inviting presentation.
- Serve alongside a crisp, green salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal.
- Pair with a glass of light-bodied white wine, like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, to enhance the flavors.
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If you love this recipe, please leave a โญโญโญโญโญ rating
๐ Recipe
Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Fresh Basil
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Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup shredded parmesean
- ยผ cup fresh basil , chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter in until bubbly.
- Add orzo and toast pasta until golden brown.
- Carefully stir in vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer pasta 15 minutes, until broth is absorbed and pasta is al dente.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
TeaLady
This looks delicious. I always forget about orzo. Don't know why because it is so easy to work with.
Kirstin
YUM!!! I'm drooling over several recipes as I get caught upon your blog. This looks so easy. I love orzo pasta too!
Gay
Looks yummy, and good enough to make me want to try cooking orzo. I haven't tried it before.
Ruth Daniels
So simple, so droolingly delicious, I don't think I even need the steak! Those words from a serious carnivore. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Night.
Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog
Shelby love orzo pasta but I didnโt try often, good reminder about it.
Need them after my trainings ๐
Cheers,
Gera
Melanie
Love this simple, but so delicious side dish! We just realized this summer how much we love asiago cheese (grated ourselves from a block) so I think I'll be buying another block of it soon to make this. Thank you for the recipe.
Donna-FFW
I am SOOOOOO trying this next time I make steak. Sounds like the MOST perfect side dish!!
Nutmeg Nanny
This pasta looks amazing! I have tons of basil sitting in my kitchen...yum!
bellini
I am so in love with orzo and throw it in to soups, and salads on a whim. This cheesy version begs to be tried.
Lesa @Edesia's Notebook
Looks great! I love orzo but have never had it this way. Thanks for posting!
Barbara Bakes
I love orzo and I don't make it often enough either. This looks like a great, easy side dish.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Looks really delicious, Shelby! And easy too.
Pegasuslegend
I am always looking for more orzo recipes we love it with cheese this looks great Shelby!
Shaheen
OOh my does look wonderfu.
I have to say SNAP too, as I too am submitting a Orzo dish to PPN.