This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side dish. It is comforting and creamy, with the perfect amount of garlic and parmesan!
Super Easy Orzo Recipe
This one pot recipe can be on your table in less than 15 minutes, which is exactly the type of recipe I need for those busy school nights.
You all know how I feel about carbs (YES PLEASE!). Normally I’m touting different bread recipes, like our herbed focaccia bread because…hello, bread is straight from heaven! But pasta recipes are a close second when it comes to the glorious-ness of carbs.
This creamy orzo recipe is simply sublime!
What Ingredients Do I Need for Garlic Parmesan Orzo?
The detailed measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the recipe card, but here is a quick list for everything you will need:
- Orzo
- Olive Oil
- Butter
- Garlic
- Chicken Broth
- Half and Half
- Thyme (fresh)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pepper
- Salt
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Don’t blink! You might miss how to make this dish! It really is that quick and easy:
- Add olive oil and butter into a skillet over medium heat and then add the orzo pasta. Stir it occasionally until it gets toasted (30-60 seconds).
- Stir in the garlic and cook for a few seconds and then add the thyme.
- Slowly add the broth stirring constantly until it comes to a boil. Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat down and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- After the orzo is tender, add the half and half and let it warm through.
- Add the parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve it up immediately! We like to top individual servings with more cheese because there can’t ever be too much cheese!
How Long to Cook Orzo?
As you just read, this Parmesan orzo pasta recipe is so easy to make. The only “hard” thing about it is cooking the orzo, but that’s just because most people haven’t made it before!
In total, the orzo needs to cook for roughly 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s tender (just sneak a quick bite from the pot to tell when it’s done). See? Cooking orzo is simple!
FAQ
What to Eat with Orzo Pasta
If you’re eating this cheesy orzo recipe as a side dish, it goes great with several of our main dishes. These are a few of our favorites:
Is Orzo a Pasta?
Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta. While it is similar to rice in shape and texture, it takes way less time to cook and is a great alternative if you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner.
How Long Will Cooked Orzo Keep?
Cooked orzo should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cooked orzo will keep for 3-5 days.
Can Orzo Be Frozen?
Orzo can be frozen. It should be placed in a heavy duty freezer bag. Orzo freezes best if it is in a sauce.
How to Reheat Orzo
To reheat this cheesy Parmesan orzo, add 1 Tablespoon liquid to each cup of orzo and reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. This will keep it from drying out as it reheats.
What Can I Add to Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo?
Can you tell that I love this recipe? If you aren’t sold yet, here is another reason to put this in your regular meal rotation…it is incredibly versatile! You can add veggies or a protein to change things up or make it a main dish. Here are a few options:
Vegetables:
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
Protein:
- Chicken
- Bacon
- Sausage
You can customize this orzo pasta recipe to exactly what your family loves!
Tips for Making This Orzo Pasta Recipe
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parm, if possible. Freshly grated cheese has a better texture and melts more evenly than the pre-shredded kind.
- Half and half: We much prefer using half and half in this recipe since it makes for an ultra creamy orzo. However, if you don’t have half and half on hand, you can achieve similar results using whole milk. Just avoid using anything low-fat, otherwise the Parmesan orzo will be too thin.
- Chicken broth: Depending on how salty you like your food, you may want to use low-sodium chicken broth in this dish. Parmesan cheese is naturally quite salty, and if you think the orzo needs extra salt you can simply add more in!
Let me review what makes this creamy garlic parmesan orzo so dang good…one pot, creamy, less than 15 minutes, versatile, cheesy, simple and downright DELICIOUS!
Looking for more EASY PASTA RECIPES?
- Ham Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas
- Caprese Orzo Pasta
- Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas
- Zupas Copycat Tomato Basil Orzo Soup
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
- Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad
- Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
- 10-Minute Ranch Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Spring Ham and Asparagus Lemon Cream Pasta
- 15-Minute Pesto Pasta
- All our Pasta Recipes here!
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
Description
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Orzo Pasta, , dry
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 5 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Cups Half and Half
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1 1/2 Cups Grated Parmesan Cheese, , plus more for garnish
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper, , to taste
- Salt, , to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, butter and pasta.
- Cook, stirring occasionally until toasted, about 30-60 seconds.
- Add garlic and stir it in followed by thyme.
- Add the broth, a small amount at a time.
- Bring to a boil, cover the skillet with a lid and turn down to a simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta has absorbed most of the water and is tender.
- Remove the lid and add the half and half and let simmer till warmed clear through.
- Add the cheese and salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO our FREE Oh Sweet Basil NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE EASY RECIPES DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX EVERY DAY!
When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories! FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.
Helen
Hi! I liked one of your other recipes so much (the Brazilian burgers), I decided to try out a few more from your site. I’m planning to make this tonight (so probably can’t hope for a response before then, but just in case!), but what am I supposed to do with the garlic? It sounds like it’s just put in whole and unpeeled — is that correct? I can’t tell from the pictures or the intro, either. Thanks in advance if you can get to this in time!
Sweet Basil
Hi Helen! Thank you for the support! And so sorry for the delay! You peel and mince the garlic. So to be so vague in the post! I’ve added a note in the recipe card to make that more clear. I hope you enjoyed it!
Helen
Thanks so much for the response and clarification! I decided to wait to make it this week and will let you know how it turns out. (It will be delicious, I’m sure!)
Sweet Basil
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Helen
Well, it was worth waiting for! We just loved it with all that garlic and cream, and we already liked orzo, so a perfect combination, and so easy to make. I seem to be making a lot of your recipes these days, so I decided to order your book — it’ll be nice to have them all in one place! Anyway, this is definitely going on the “make again (and again)” list.
Sweet Basil
Yay!! Thank you so much Helen! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and I appreciate your support so much!
Cate
What can I use as a substitute for the half and half cream? Would sour cream or cream cheese work? If so, how much? Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Hi Cate! I would recommend using whole milk as a substitute to get the right flavor and consistency. You could also use heavy cream, but I would cut it with some milk so it’s not too thick.
Ann
OMG this is yummy! We added shrimp and served with salad
Sweet Basil
Yummmm! Thank you so much for taking time to give us some feedback!
Kate
What a great, simple recipe! We love Orzo! I may add broccoli to my next batch. Thanks!!
Sweet Basil
Oooohh broccoli would be so good! Thanks for taking time to leave a comment, Kate!
Kate
It was so delicious, there was no way I couldn’t!
Ramya
will be making this soon with few subs i never had orzo before will dm you guys if i make this and let you guys know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Sweet Basil
Sounds great! You’re going to love orzo! We look forward to hearing how it goes!