The butter and cheese cling to the pasta and it's a creamy mini pastina with a big bold flavor.
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I always have to double the recipe and never seem to make enough creamy orzo herb and Parmesan pastina it gets gobbled up so fast.
The Easiest CreamyCreamy Orzo Herb and Parmesan!
A quick and easy side dish that goes great with any meal.
Baby mini pastina makes this a delicious easy way to come up with something different everyone will like.
It's a creamy tasty yet still light side dish with toasted pine nuts (or any toasted nuts you prefer you can substitute almonds, pecans, or pistachios) then add some Parmesan cheese and butter the flavors are spectacular and simple.
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Here is a Quick Look at making Our Orzo Side Dish:
- Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add orzo, and saute for 3 minutes, stirring constantly or until it starts to get a golden brown.
- Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and the orzo is done (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately
Ingredients To Have On Hand for Making Creamy Orzo
- butter
- orzo
- chicken broth
- water
- grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- chopped parsley
- chopped fresh basil
- minced garlic or powder
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper,( cayenne optional)
- pine nuts toasted (I melt a teaspoon of butter in a small glass bowl and add the pine nuts for around two minutes till browned)
Additions Mix-Ins and Pasta Suggestions
- fresh spinach leaves
- sliced onions
- sauteed mushrooms
- sauteed broccoli rabe
- diced tomatoes
- artichoke hearts
- cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
- stir-fried, roasted, or steamed vegetables
- shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
- penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta can are also great with this recipe
- note: if you want to add different nuts just proceed the same with your favorite nuts
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Cappellini Spinach Pomodoro
15 Pasta Recipes
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
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Yield: 4
Creamy Orzo Herb and Parmesan
Creamy orzo is a tiny pasta that makes a fantastic side dish with any meal.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min
Ingredients
- Creamy Orzo Herb and Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,( cayenne optional)
- 4 teaspoons pine nuts, toasted (I melt a teaspoon of butter in a small glass bowl and add the pine nuts for around two minutes till browned)
Instructions
- Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add orzo, and saute for 3 minutes, stirring constantly or until it starts to get a golden brown.
- Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and the orzo is done (about 15 minutes).
- Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts.
- Serve immediately
Notes
Additions Mix-Ins and Pasta Suggestions
- fresh spinach leaves
- sliced onions
- sauteed mushrooms
- sauteed broccoli rabe
- diced tomatoes
- artichoke hearts
- cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
- stir-fried, roasted, or steamed vegetables
- shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
- penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta can are also great with this recipe
- note: if you want to add different nuts just proceed the same with your favorite nuts
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
These are all copyright-protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.
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Wonderful looking Orzo! I am planing to make something like this for a while now..and will have to try this recipe!
ReplyDeleteLooks great Claudia. I've never cooked orzo before, it seems to resemble risotto. I'd love to try making this.
ReplyDeleteExcept for throwing some into soup at the last minute, I have never cooked this little cutie. And to make matters worse, I purchased another bag to use for a dish like this and dropped it and it split and the contents went everywhere and then into the garbage. So back to the store because this looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks so tasteful that I am already hungry :)
ReplyDeleteI'm making wedding soup with orzo today, but will have half a box. Will try this risotto-like dish as a side later in the week. Wonderful recipe.
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! What a fabulous side dish!
ReplyDeleteSuch an orzo fan - love this creamy delightful version. Will save this recipe for sure.
ReplyDeleteThks for introducing me to Orzo! Mmm... must start looking for this :)
ReplyDeleteI love orzo, one of my favorite pastas!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! It looks delicious! I love orzo and have to try making it now. Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI just love the roasted pine nuts in this dish.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this preparation - the cheese and herbs just show off the orzo.
ReplyDeleteOrzo's one of my favorites. This dish looks so mouthwaternigly creamy. Great photos -- I almost opened my mouth for the spoon!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! I add pine nuts to just about everything these days so orzo with parmesan and pine nuts has my name written all over it. YUMMY!
ReplyDeleteyummy yummy love the flavours in this dish
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic! Orzo is one of my favorite things to have with just about any meal. So good...
ReplyDeleteI could only wonder why I haven't got around to buying Orzo? I have so many grains in my pantry...one more wouldn't hurt ;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nudge,
Claudia
Lovely recipe, never tried to cook Orzo..Will def try this recipe..
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple, quick and tasty dish! Love this!
ReplyDeleteOh, Claudia, I love, love this orzo! I've made something similar and am just lucky enough to have some fresh basil in the kitchen. YUM!
ReplyDeleteI have everything in my kitchen to make this...can't WAIT! Simple ingredients make the best side dishes...think I'll serve with some pan-seared chicken breast and a nice salad!
ReplyDeletelovely Orzo! looks so savory.. saving your recipe to give a try.
ReplyDeleteParmesan Orzo is one of my favorites! Love it with the pine nuts!
ReplyDeleteYummy! This looks so flavorful and i absolutely love pine nuts in recipes :D
ReplyDelete-abeer @ www.cakewhiz.com
Delicious looking orzo, love the addition of toasted pine nuts here!
ReplyDeleteI am really fun of reading your post.
ReplyDeleteI will surely try this in my kitchen.
You know Claudia, I've never had orzo and I'm reading your recipe and trying to imagine chewing on orzo right now LOL I do like the flavours here and the texture is really intriguing to me!
ReplyDeleteBoy oh boy this looks good!
ReplyDeleteI would double this recipe, too. It looks so flavorful!
ReplyDeleteClaudia-I just love, love, your orzo dish with the herbs, and Parmesan. Such beautiful and large photos of it as well. It makes me want to take that fork of the yummy goodness!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are getting better, and better...and even if not, your recipes, are always a WINNER!
Thanks for sharing, yet again, another delicious recipe!
My husband loves orzo but it's been a long time since we last made it. Quick, simple and nutritious. Will definitely try it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so creamy and delicious. I love the looks of it!
ReplyDeleteI love orzo! This looks so wonderful and divine!
ReplyDeletexx,
Tammy
Wow! This looks just amazing, bookmarking this recipe.
ReplyDeleteWhat else can be said about this amazing dish? Orzo is versatile and wonderful isn't it. Very nice display too Claudia. Love the photo post on FB, up close and personal just begging to be eaten!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic side dish. I love orzo but don't utilize it enough.
ReplyDeleteRich and creamy goodness! This looks spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWow..Awesome click..luv to follow ur italian recipes..
ReplyDeletemmmm I love orzo! This reminds me I need to make it soon. I normally throw it into soups and forget to make it on its own.
ReplyDeleteOrzo is a favorite of mine... and I love the way you've prepared it here. Looks like a fabulous side dish to accompany almost anything!
ReplyDeleteI love orzo...beautiful recipe Claudia :)
ReplyDeleteI love orzo...beautiful recipe Claudia :)
ReplyDeletea beautiful orzo,looks so tasty!
ReplyDeleteI'm now in the mood for a platter of delicious orzo - - especially made with parmesan and herbs! Delicious Claudia!
ReplyDelete