Best Creamy Orzo Recipes

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is absorbed, and orzo is done, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve immediately.

CREAMY ORZO WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper on a baking sheet.
• Spread out in a single layer. Roast, stirring halfway through, until well browned and crisp around the edges, about 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then scrape up with a spatula and transfer to a bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the leek and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook until the leek softens, about 2 minutes. Add the orzo, 2 cups water, the milk, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the cheese, spinach, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon parsley. Stir until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts; add a splash of water if the mixture is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the mushrooms with the lemon zest and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Divide the orzo among bowls and top with the mushroom mixture.

CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC & SPINACH ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Remove papery outer skin from garlic bulb but do not peel or separate the cloves. Cut off top of garlic bulb, exposing individual cloves. Drizzle cut cloves with 1 teaspoon oil. Wrap in foil. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cloves are soft. Unwrap. When cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic from skins., In a Dutch oven, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add pasta; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed., Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add spinach, Asiago cheese, milk, seasoning blend, salt and roasted garlic; cook and stir until spinach is wilted. Sprinkle with parsley.

CREAMY LEMON-PEPPER ORZO WITH GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil; prepare a grill or grill pan for medium heat.
• Whisk together the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of the oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined.
• Rub the chicken thighs with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Grill until nicely marked and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand for at least 5 minutes.
• Add the orzo to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions for al dente, stirring in the peas during the last minute of cooking. Drain the orzo and peas, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Stir the orzo and peas into the yogurt mixture, along with the goat cheese, 3 tablespoons of the herbs and at least 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid, until well combined. Transfer to a platter.
• Thinly slice the chicken and arrange on top of the orzo. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and the remaining 1 tablespoon herbs.

CREAMY ORZO WITH PROSCIUTTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs and Parmesan in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto and cook until beginning to brown and get crispy, 4 minutes. Add the shallots and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until softened and fragrant, 2 minutes. Stir in the orzo and toast for 3 minutes. Add 3 1/4 cups water and the salt, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Stir in the tomatoes and peas. Cook until the orzo is al dente, another 3 minutes.
• Off the heat, add the egg mixture to the skillet while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the pasta. Sprinkle with the basil and serve.

CREAMY ORZO WITH SPINACH AND SHRIMP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet.
• Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add orzo and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add chicken broth and water, bring to a boil.
• Once at a boil reduce heat to a simmer uncovered.
• Meanwhile core, seed and dice the tomatoes and thaw and strain the spinach.
• Once the liquid in the orzo begins to absorb (about 5 minutes) add the tomatoes and stir.
• Let this simmer for another 5 minutes then add the spinach and stir.
• Cook until the liquid is fully absorbed (about another 15 minutes).
• In a separate pan sauté the shrimp and sprinkle with creole seasoning (optional, you can use whatever spice you like) until cooked.
• Add the cheeses and fresh basil, red pepper (optional) to the orzo and stir, then add in the shrimp and serve!

CREAMY GARLIC-PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• Cook the orzo according to the package directions; drain well.
• In a large skillet melt the butter over medium heat; add in the onion and saute until just softened (about 3-4 minutes).
• Add in fresh garlic and chili flakes the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Reduce the heat to low and add in the cooked orzo, Parmesan cheese, milk or cream, parsley and salt; toss to heat through.
• Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste.

CREAMY ORZO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat oil in large sauce pan, cook onion over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Stir In garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in uncooked orzo & and toss to coat and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Slowly stir in 1/2 cup of stock at a time. Adding the next half cup when the previous one has been absorbed. When orzo is tender stir in a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss orzo with steamed vegetables. Serve with grated Parmesan and black pepper.

CREAMY ORZO WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• While pasta is cooking, melt margarine in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook chicken, mushrooms, onions and garlic in margarine about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Stir in flour, thyme and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted.
• Pour chicken mixture over pasta; toss if desired.

CREAMY GREEK ORZO SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Cook the orzo according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and lemon zest and juice. Toss the mixture with the orzo and season with salt and pepper. In layers or strips, add the feta, olives, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Garnish with the Crispy Chickpeas and fresh mint.
• Add the oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chickpeas and fry, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chickpeas to a bowl, season with the za'atar and toss to coat. Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

CREAMY PARMESAN SHRIMP AND ORZO

Steps:

• Saute garlic and orzo in butter 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Stir in water and half and half. Cover and let simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in parmesan, shrimp and basil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Reheats really well, and is even better the second day.

CREAMY ORZO WITH HAM AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender,about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes.
• Add the ham and cook until they are heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the half and half and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat.
• Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat.
• Stir in some reserved cooking liquid until pasta is desired consistency.
• Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

CREAMY BOURSIN® ORZO WITH CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with seasoning salt and add to skillet; saute until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
• Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add mushrooms and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove mushrooms to a plate.
• Place onion in the skillet and saute until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add uncooked orzo; cook and stir until toasted and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add 2 cups chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Mix well, reduce heat to medium-low, and bring to a simmer. Cook until orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes, adding more chicken broth if needed.
• Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic and herb cheese spread until completely melted. Add chicken and mushrooms and mix until well combined. Garnish with parsley.

CREAMY CHICKEN SOUP WITH ORZO

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil. Add carrots, celery and onion. Cook over medium high heat until they are "al dente" (crispy tender) ~ about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in orzo, chicken broth, spices and salt and pepper.
• Continue cooking and bring to a full boil for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine milk and flour until smooth. Add to soup stirring constantly until mixture comes back to a boil and gets slightly thickened.(2-3 minutes).
• Add chicken and cook until heated through.
• *I prefer a thick soup, but you can add more milk to thin it out if that is your preference.

DECADENTLY CREAMY SHRIMP AND SCALLOP SCAMPI WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Melt butter in pan and add garlic and orzo. Add some of the Bahama Mama seasoning (I prefer it to the Old Bay). Cook about 5 minutes or until orzo turns a golden brown. Be careful not to burn it.
• Add clam broth and water. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes stirring occassionally to keep from clumping.
• Add mushrooms, shrimp, and scallops. Stir and cover for 5 minutes.
• Stir in heavy cream and cheese. Cover and cook for about 5 more minutes.
• Add salt, pepper, or more of the Bahama Mama seasoning to taste.

BAKED SALMON WITH CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine bacon, onion, and 1/4 cup celery in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high; cook, stirring, until bacon is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add orzo; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and broth; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until orzo is tender and liquid has nearly evaporated, 8 minutes.
• Stir together coriander, zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Season fish with spice mixture and nestle into orzo in skillet; cover and transfer to oven. Bake until fish is just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes; transfer fish to a plate. Let orzo cool 5 minutes, then stir in radicchio with remaining 1/2 cup celery just until wilted. Return fish to skillet and serve, with lemon wedges.

CREAMY ITALIAN CHICKEN & ORZO SKILLET

Steps:

• COOK chicken and zucchini in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 6 to 7 minute or until chicken is done.
• ADD cooking creme and tomatoes; cook and stir 2 minute
• SERVE over pasta.
• Substitute: Substitute 2 cups frozen cut green beans for the zucchini.
• Nutrition Information Per 1-1/4 Cup Serving: 410 calories, 13g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 100mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 6g sugars, 34g protein, 20%DV vitamin A, 8%DV vitamin C, 10%DV calcium, 15%DV iron.

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.
• Drain - reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy large pan frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, saute until until tender (about 2 minutes).
• Add the tomatoes and cook until tender (5-8 minutes).
• Stir in cream and peas.
• Add orzo and toss to coat.
• Remove from heat; add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat.
• Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved pasta water to maintain a creamy consistency.
• Season with salt & pepper.

CREAMY ITALIAN ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente (slightly firm), stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, saving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, mushrooms and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the half and half and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove pan from heat. Add parmesan to pasta mixture.
• Stir pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with desired amount of salt, and serve hot.
• Chunks of chicken or shrimp could be added if you choose to serve this as a main dish.