Creamy Lemon Orzo with Parmesan
Creamy Lemon Orzo with Parmesan
Ingredients
For the Creamy Lemon Orzo
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional, for extra creaminess
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Prepare your ingredients: Finely dice the yellow onion, mince the garlic cloves, zest and juice the lemon, grate the Parmesan cheese, and chop the fresh parsley.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Stir in the orzo pasta. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until the orzo is lightly toasted and slightly golden. This step adds a nice nutty flavor.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour in the vegetable (or chicken) broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
⏱️ 12 min
- 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream (if using), unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until the butter is melted, the cheese is incorporated, and the orzo is wonderfully creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Season the creamy orzo with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Serve the creamy lemon orzo immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Lemon Orzo with Parmesan
Ingredients
For the Creamy Lemon Orzo
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional, for extra creaminess
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Prepare your ingredients: Finely dice the yellow onion, mince the garlic cloves, zest and juice the lemon, grate the Parmesan cheese, and chop the fresh parsley.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the orzo pasta. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until the orzo is lightly toasted and slightly golden. This step adds a nice nutty flavor.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour in the vegetable (or chicken) broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
⏱️ 12 min - 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream (if using), unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until the butter is melted, the cheese is incorporated, and the orzo is wonderfully creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Season the creamy orzo with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Serve the creamy lemon orzo immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min