Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Basil is quick and easy to throw together, and with the right ingredients mixed in, it is super flavorful! When I told Grumpy I was making orzo his first assumption when he saw the package it came in was I was making rice. About the only rice he cares to eat is fried rice! I explained it was a type of pasta and that made things better 🙂
This was the perfect side dish for the sirloin I broiled for Grumpy, served with roasted asparagus and sauteed steak mushrooms with a couple shakes of mushroom soy sauce. Perfect comfort dinner for a nasty weather day.
This dinner fits in with the "Meet MyPlate: A Guide for Healthy Eating" produced by the USDA and based ont he 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. See more on this program at Allrecipes.com.
The next time you want a pasta side dish, instead of reaching for those pre-packaged, full of who knows what side dishes, think about this one. It takes very little time and is so much tastier and better for you 🙂
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth (you can use whatever flavor broth you prefer)
- 1 cup shredded asiago cheese (I use a microplane zester and get a fine shred. If you are doing a coarser shred you may want to use less cheese)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Melt butter in heavy skillet. Once hot, add orzo and toast until pasta starts to brown. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer about 15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and pasta is cooked. Stir in cheese and basil. Serve.
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 didn’t try often, good reminder about it.
Need them after my trainings 🙂
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.