Easy Parmesan Orzo

The Chinese have a saying “飯桶” (fan tong), which literally means, rice bucket. But it’s supposed to indicate someone who loves rice—my mom was such a person. I grew up eating a lot of rice, but I equally love noodles, so orzo is a perfect balance between rice and pasta for me. Although I’m fully aware it’s a pasta, I love that the texture and shape is very similar to rice. I always have orzo readily available in a glass jar in my pantry (along with other grains) because it’s a wonderfully adaptable grain. I often cook it in a style reminiscent of risotto, with chicken broth and a bit of parmesan, but without the fuss of constantly stirring it like a risotto. It’s a really simple and easy method for tender, delicious grains that pairs well with a lot of food; I often make this easy parmesan orzo when we’re grilling since it’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled veggies and sausages.

All you need is a little bit of butter, orzo, chicken broth and parmesan (fresh Parmigiano Reggiano is best!). I often throw in fresh herbs since I tend to have them on hand, but it’s delicious without them. If you want to bulk it up further, you can even add in some peas or spinach. As I said, it’s super adaptable.

To get started

First, you start by melting the butter in a pot. Then add the orzo and sauté for a couple minutes or so to gently toast the grains. This will develop a lovely nutty flavor for your final product. You can toast to your desired consistency (sometimes I’ll just do a light toast, whereas others I develop to a light brown). Make sure you stir constantly.

Simmer the orzo

Add in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the orzo has absorbed all of the liquid and is nice and tender.

I often add in herbs and/or veggies at this point. Green onions and basil are often my go-tos, as are peas (fresh or frozen!) which add a nice juicy pop to the pasta. Mix until well incorporated and stir in the parmesan until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve this parmesan orzo with your favorite veggies and protein, and you have a great meal!