Parmesan Orzo

Parmesan Orzo - An easy parmesan orzo recipe that is creamy, full of butter, garlic, parmesan, and herbs. It's easy to make in under 15 minutes.

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Why I love this creamy orzo recipe

• It's a vegetarian orzo recipe (if you swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth) so it is easy to tailor to a meatless meal.
• It's super flavorful with fresh herbs and garlic.
• It pairs really well with chicken, shrimp, and fish.
• It's a really easy orzo recipe! It comes together in less than 15 minutes.

ingredients for this garlic parmesan orzo

• unsalted butter
• garlic
• orzo
• Kosher salt & ground black pepper
• chicken broth (vegetable broth if making it vegetarian)
• milk (I use 2%)
• fresh oregano, basil, and thyme
• grated parmesan

how to cook orzo

Detailed instructions and measurements for Parmesan Orzo are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

1. Add your butter to a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter. 
2. Once butter is melted, add the garlic, orzo, salt, and pepper. Toast the orzo, stirring frequently, just until it starts to brown, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour in your broth. Stir to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn down the heat and allow it to simmer. Stir occasionally while the orzo simmers. Let it simmer until almost all the liquid has absorbed.
5. Pour in the milk. Stir to combine.
6. Add the fresh oregano, fresh basil, and fresh thyme. Stir to combine.
7. Add in the grated parmesan cheese. Mix to combine until all the parmesan has melted. Serve with extra herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top.

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tips and tricks

Be sure not to burn your garlic and orzo during the toasting process. It's important to stir frequently to prevent burning.

The fresh herbs add amazing flavor to this dish. If you don't have access to fresh herbs, dried works well too. You may need to adjust quantities.

how to lower calories or WW points

You can use a lower calorie/lower point butter substitute to toast the orzo with the garlic.

Whole wheat orzo is slightly lower in calories than regular orzo.

Use a nonfat or plant based alternative milk.

Reduced fat parmesan could be used in place of full fat parmesan.

recipes that go with orzo

• Baked Shrimp Scampi
• Baked Chicken
• Roasted Garlic and Basil Alfredo

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