Creamy Orzo with Peas and Herbs
Creamy Orzo with Peas and Herbs
Ingredients
For the Creamy Orzo
- 4 cups vegetable broth, warm
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, small, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional, for extra richness
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon, zest only
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Warm the vegetable broth in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm throughout the cooking process.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta. Toast the orzo for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells slightly nutty and some pieces are lightly golden.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour in about 1 cup of the warm vegetable broth. Stir continuously until the broth is almost completely absorbed by the orzo. Continue adding the broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. This process should take about 15 to 20 minutes, until the orzo is al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite) and has a creamy consistency, similar to risotto.
⏱️ 18 min
- 6
Once the orzo is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the thawed peas, grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh mint.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Orzo with Peas and Herbs
Ingredients
For the Creamy Orzo
- 4 cups vegetable broth, warm
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, small, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional, for extra richness
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon, zest only
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Warm the vegetable broth in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm throughout the cooking process.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta. Toast the orzo for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells slightly nutty and some pieces are lightly golden.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour in about 1 cup of the warm vegetable broth. Stir continuously until the broth is almost completely absorbed by the orzo. Continue adding the broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. This process should take about 15 to 20 minutes, until the orzo is al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite) and has a creamy consistency, similar to risotto.
⏱️ 18 min - 6
Once the orzo is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the thawed peas, grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh mint.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min