Description
Luxurious Garlic Parmesan Orzo delivers Italian comfort straight from your kitchen. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients meld into a silky, cheesy side dish that welcomes hungry diners with rich, harmonious flavors you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook orzo until perfectly tender, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta and reserve.
- Return the same pot to medium heat and melt butter, releasing its rich aroma.
- Add finely chopped garlic, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, allowing it to reach a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low.
- Slowly incorporate heavy cream, letting it blend smoothly with the broth and create a velvety base.
- Gradually sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the liquid, whisking continuously until the cheese melts completely and forms a luxurious, creamy sauce.
- Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Fold the reserved orzo into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta grain is thoroughly coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbal freshness.
Notes
- Ensure water is well-salted for flavorful orzo, using about 1 tablespoon of salt per quart of water.
- Stir orzo frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and achieve even texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream and use less Parmesan.
- Add grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg