This Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta recipe is a one-pot recipe for tender orzo tossed in a light and cheesy cream sauce. It’s simple to make and comes together in a total of 20 minutes!
Love orzo? Try this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, this Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Orzo recipe, One Pot Lemon Orzo pasta or one of The 10 Best Orzo Recipes!
Table of Contents
- Reader Review!
- What is orzo pasta?
- Garlic Parmesan Orzo Recipe Ingredients
- The Best Way to Mince Garlic
- How to make this easy Orzo Pasta recipe
- Orzo Pasta FAQs
- Is orzo pasta or rice?
- How is orzo different than pasta?
- Can you use another pasta?
- Is orzo pasta healthier than rice?
- How long will cooked orzo keep?
- Can orzo recipes be frozen?
- Variations on this orzo recipe:
- Orzo Pasta Serving suggestions
- More pasta recipes you’ll love
- Garlic Parmesan Orzo Recipe Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta recipe is a recipe you don’t want to miss!
Anything that has garlic and parmesan in it is bound to be good, right? Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew, Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes, Pesto Parmesan Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Potatoes…Yeah. It’s a pretty killer combo.
Add pasta to the mix, especially orzo pasta, and you’ve pretty much reached the epitome of good food. 😉
It’s a decadent side dish or vegetarian entree that’s fancy enough to be served for a dinner party but also quick and easy enough that you can whip it up for a simple weeknight dinner.
Just one pot, a few simple ingredients, 20 minutes, and it’s ready to go!
Reader Review!
“This was so delicious. Easy to make too. This week become a staple in our house.” — Rebecca
If you love simple pasta recipes, check out this Sun Dried Tomato Pasta and this Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta, too! If you’re an orzo lover, or try this One Pan Tuscan Orzo with Chicken next.
What is orzo pasta?
Orzo is a small, oval-shaped pasta that resembles grains of rice. It can be cooked either like a pasta (boiled and then drained) or it can be cooked in the same way rice would be cooked (simmered in liquid until it’s fully absorbed.)
This creamy orzo pasta recipe utilizes the second cooking method. The orzo is simmered in broth until the liquid is absorbed, then cream and cheese are incorporated to create a light cream sauce. This method results in a creamy consistency very similar to risotto as the starch from the pasta mixes with the liquid to create a thicker, creamier base for the sauce.
Garlic Parmesan Orzo Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Broth: I usually use low sodium chicken broth. If you use regular chicken broth, you may want to adjust the amount of salt you add so it’s not too salty.
- Dry Orzo Pasta: you can find orzo pasta at most grocery stores!
- Garlic: use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Garlic powder just isn’t the same!
- Salt and Black Pepper: thanks to the broth, garlic, and cheese, you don’t need much when it comes to seasonings. A simple duo of salt and black pepper is all you need!
- Cream: any kind will work! Use heavy cream for a richer flavor. Light cream will be a bit thinner but will still be delicious.
- Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated parmesan is the way to go. Pre-shredded cheeses contain an anti-caking agent which can cause a grainy texture.
- Parsley: I love to use a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add freshness and add a pop of color.
The Best Way to Mince Garlic
My favorite way to make sure I always have fresh garlic on hand is to peel a whole whack of cloves, process them in the food processor just until minced, scoop them into 1 teaspoon balls and flash freeze.
Simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper and freeze the balls of minced garlic until firm (about 1-2 hours) then place in a large zip-top bag for up to 4 months!
Now you’ll have fresh garlic (minus the mincing!) whenever you need it.
How to make this easy Orzo Pasta recipe
This orzo recipe is a quick and easy recipe that’s made in just one pot for super easy cleanup! Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
- Cook the pasta: In a skillet, combine broth, pasta, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Make sure to stir often!
- Finish and serve: Mix in cream, parmesan, and parsley then serve and enjoy!
Orzo Pasta FAQs
Is orzo pasta or rice?
While orzo is often mistaken for rice because of its small rice-like shape, it is in fact a pasta!
How is orzo different than pasta?
Orzo is simply a specific shape of pasta, although it differs from other cuts of pasta in the way that it is prepared.
Orzo can be cooked like pasta or it can be toasted in a dry pan before adding liquid to cook it. It can also be cooked using a similar method to risotto.
Can you use another pasta?
Yes! You can use any smaller pasta shape in this recipe and it should yield similar results. You can also substitute the orzo out for Arborio rice to get a similar consistency. Keep in mind the cook time will change, so make sure you cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, adding more liquid if necessary to cook the pasta.
Is orzo pasta healthier than rice?
The term “healthy” is relative these days, and what’s healthy for one person may not work for another. Orzo is a pasta and rice is a grain, so they bring different things to the table.
In a 140 gram serving, orzo has 316 calories and roughly 11 grams of protein.
In a 158 gram serving, long grain white rice has 205 calories but only 4 grams of protein.
How long will cooked orzo keep?
Cooked garlic parmesan orzo pasta will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To reheat, add a splash of broth or cream to thin and moisten and warm on the stove or in the microwave until fully warmed.
Can orzo recipes be frozen?
Yes! You can freeze this orzo pasta by packing it in an airtight container then storing it in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then warm on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of liquid to moisten.
Variations on this orzo recipe:
- Add veggies. You can mix in any cooked veggies you like to give this pasta dinner a boost of nutrition. Try it with peas, tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, you name it.
- Make it meaty. Fill out the meal by mixing in cooked chicken, sausage, or bacon.
- Spice it up. If you like your pasta with a kick of heat, try adding in red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Brighten it up. Add another layer of flavor with a splash of lemon juice.
Orzo Pasta Serving suggestions
This garlic parmesan orzo pasta makes a delicious vegetarian entree with a side of roasted vegetables or garlic bread.
It also makes the perfect side dish next to your favorite protein. Serve it with Slow Cooker Chicken Breast, baked tuscan chicken, or Instant Pot Whole Chicken!
More pasta recipes you’ll love
For more pasta inspiration, check out more of my easy pasta recipes. Here are a few of my favorites!
Garlic Parmesan Orzo Recipe
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups dry orzo pasta (about 278 grams)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cream (any kind — heavy cream will give richer flavor, light cream will be a bit thinner)
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Pour broth into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add uncooked orzo, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is cooked to your preference. (If you want to cook the pasta further but the liquid is gone, just add a splash more broth).
- Stir in cream, Parmesan and parsley. Serve.
- *Note: the pasta will thicken quickly as it sits — add more broth or cream to thin the sauce as desired.
Notes
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then warm on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of liquid to moisten.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Joanne Manopella says
This is just delicious! A “go-to” side in my house.
I do saute the minced garlic in a little butter for a minute or two before adding the broth and orzo. Other than that, I follow the recipe exactly and it is a huge hit! Thank you so much!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Thank you Joanne!
jess says
I am a broke college student and have been making it for the past 2 weeks since it is so budget friendly (like $3 per portion) with roasted yams, brocolli and cauliflower and it is SO GOOD! It takes like 30 mins to make all of it and lasts for dinner and the next 3 days lunches!
TIP – add diced shiitake mushrooms when you add the orzo for some extra flavour and amino acids!
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad you enjoyed it Jess!
Mike Read says
Holy smokes, this was incredible! I am a self-taught cook, love to be in the kitchen, there are very few recipes I don’t riff on. I followed this quite close, but did make two changes I’d recommend. First, I dry toasted the orzo in a medium-hot skillet until it was a beautiful golden brown color before cooking it. I followed the recipe from there, but substituted fresh dill for the parsley, as parsley has just never done anything for me. This is an excellent side dish.
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Mike!
Robin says
This was amazing!!!! I will make it again and again. I used better than bullion chicken stock, jarred minced garlic. Added a little more water to cook the orzo longer but turned out scrumptious!
Yvonne says
Made this last night and my family raved about it and begged me to make it again and soon. It was awesomely good and very easy to make. I doubled the recipe so I would have enough and it was all gone.
Marion says
Made last week, was excellent!
Used an Italian made pasta (Delallo brand) so needed way more chicken broth.
Added pea’s for color and flavor!
Perfecto ❤️
The Recipe Rebel says
Thanks Marion!
Alyssa Lynn Stanley says
This isn’t a comment more of a question. I stink at math so could anyone tell me how to adjust this recipe to a single one person serving? I am 24 and living with my health obsessed parents and they’d turn their nose up at any dish including a cream sauce. I wanna learn how to make a dish for my self other than regular pasta with jar sauce on top
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Alyssa, it’s super simple, everything would be 1/4 of what is listed for example the broth would be 1/2 cup but honestly it would be more cost effective and less time consuming to make the whole dish and then freeze the remaining pasta in portions and freeze. Hope this helps!
Elaine Wong says
Amazing!! A go to fast comfort food!! Love it!! Thank you!!! 🙂
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear! Thank you!
Jessica says
My gosh this is good! We’ve made this three times now because we can’t get enough of it, thank you!
Kim says
this turned out fantastic! We had it as a side dish with chicken.
Catherine says
Excellent. Pure comfort food
The Recipe Rebel says
Thanks Catherine!
Shar says
I added this garlic parmesan Orzo Pasta to our Halloween Dinner party and it was a crowd fave! It is so easy and simple yet it turned out incredibly delicious and pleasing! Must-keep!
The Recipe Rebel says
Love it!
Sarah Skaggs says
We needed something comforting last night and this was the ticket! Sooo good.
The Recipe Rebel says
Yay! Thank you!
Kristyn says
Yum, my favorite flavors!! This orzo pasta is so creamy & goes great with so many things!!
Erin says
I’m all about one-pot recipes, and if they have cheese, I’m all in! Love this recipe because it’s easy and yummy.
The Recipe Rebel says
Thank you!
Ann Bair says
This was a side dish for Kielbasa & Red Peppers. My son said, “I hate Orzo!” I told him this is a new recipe that’s really good. He had three helpings by the end of dinner!! So wonderful made just as the recipe directs.
The Recipe Rebel says
So happy to hear, Ann! Thank you!
Charm says
Made this last night and it made a nice side dish for my breaded chicken. I used light cream because that is what I had on hand. The recipe was easier than expected. However, I might add more garlic and substitute chopped green onion for the parsely.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Charm! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
REBECCA J PARKER says
This was so delicious. Easy to make too. This week become a staple in our house.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Rebecca! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Kelly says
This was a good recipe. I do think that I will add 3 cups of chicken broth instead of 2.5 because the orzo was a bit undercooked. I would add 1/2 cup of Parmesan to make it a bit cheesier.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kelly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Clarissa says
I made this recipe as indicated but used better bullion chicken flavor (did not have broth on hand) and came out great! I will definitely use this recipe again.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Clarissa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Jan says
Could you use whole milk instead of cream?