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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo (One-Pot, 20 Minutes)

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Creamy garlic parmesan orzo delivers rich, cheesy comfort in just 15 minutes using one skillet. This rice-shaped pasta soaks up garlicky sauce for a side dish or main that rivals risotto but skips the fuss.

Ingredients

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2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups dry orzo pasta

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarian)

1 1/2 cups half-and-half (or 3/4 cup milk + 3/4 cup heavy cream)

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until butter melts, about 30 seconds. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook 2 minutes until fragrant and softened, stirring often.

2. Toast orzo: Stir in dry orzo. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and nutty. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Simmer: Pour in chicken broth and half-and-half. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed. Stir twice to prevent sticking.

4. Finish sauce: Remove lid. Stir in grated parmesan and parsley until cheese melts into creamy sauce, 1 minute. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat; let sit 2 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Substitutions: Use shallots instead of onion for sweetness. Swap veg broth and nutritional yeast for vegan. Freshly grate parmesan for smooth melt; pre-shredded often clumps.

Expert tips: Toast orzo every time for deeper flavor. Add dairy after broth simmers to avoid curdling. Fresh garlic outperforms jarred.

Storage: Fridge 3-4 days in airtight container. Reheat with broth splash. Avoid freezing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummyyrecipe.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-orzo-one-pot-20-minutes/