Description
A creamy, tangy, and comforting one-pot lemon orzo pasta that's quick to prepare and perfect for a simple weeknight meal. This recipe combines toasted orzo, fresh garlic, bright lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese to create a luscious pasta dish that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta (about 278 grams)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2½ cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ⅓ cup cream (heavy cream or light cream)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Melt butter and toast orzo: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the uncooked orzo pasta and finely minced garlic, toasting them together for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the orzo is lightly golden.
- Add broth and seasonings: Stir in the low sodium vegetable or chicken broth, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix everything well to combine.
- Simmer the orzo: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer, stirring often, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo pasta is cooked to your liking, approximately 10 minutes. If the liquid evaporates before the orzo is tender, add a splash more broth as needed.
- Finish with cream, cheese, parsley, and lemon: Stir in the cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley until combined and creamy. Gradually add the lemon juice, tasting as you go, until you reach the desired brightness and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option or chicken broth for richer flavor.
- Heavy cream will create a richer texture, while light cream keeps it lighter.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste to balance creaminess and acidity.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides better flavor than pre-grated.
- Keep stirring often during simmering to prevent orzo from sticking to the skillet.
- Add more broth if the pasta needs extra cooking time after liquid is absorbed.
