Pasta is number two on my list of favorite food groups. I just love it. It is warm and cozy and so very versatile. Most people only think of spaghetti, macaroni and maybe fettuccini when they think of pasta though, but there is so much more…
Orzo is a short little flat oval pasta that looks a bit like rice. It is classified in the “pastina” category, which includes the cutest and tiniest of all pastas…
Could they be any cuter?? Orzo, or risoni (bottom right on the photo above), is traditionally used in Italian soups, but is used all over European for a wide variety of dishes.
My personal favorite way to serve orzo is toasted and seasoned with butter and parmesan. It is simple and delicious….
Let’s get started.
This luxurious little side dish only requires a few simple ingredients. You will need 1 cup of orzo pasta, 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 cups of chicken stock, 1/2 cup of grated parmesan and some parsley.
Start by adding 1 tablespoon of butter into a medium sauce pan and place it over medium high heat. Once the butter has melted and the pan is hot, add the dry orzo and brown it in the butter, stirring occasionally, for 2-4 minutes or until about half of the orzo is browned.
Next, add 2 cups of chicken stock and bring it up to a boil. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the orzo has absorbed the chicken stock.
Transfer the saucepan onto a heat proof surface, such as a wooden cutting board, and add 2 tablespoons of butter into the hot orzo. Stir until the butter has melted and then add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan and about 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley.
Give everything a good stir and transfer it into a serving dish….
Toasting the orzo gives a beautifully nutty flavor to the pasta that is complimented richly by the butter and parmesan. It is a delicious side that would pair well with a wide variety of main dishes, although I would like to specifically recommend meatballs or baked chicken.
If you are looking for a simple side dish that is ready in minutes and super easy to whip up then you should definitely give this toasted parmesan orzo a try. I love it and know you will too!
Toasted Parmesan Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 1 cup of dried orzo
- 2 cups of chicken stock
- 1/2 cup of parmesan, grated or finely shredded
- 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Place 1 tablespoon of butter into a medium sauce pan and place it over medium high heat
- Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add 1 cup of orzo into the pan
- Allow the dry orzo to brown in the melted butter for 2-4 minutes, stirring occasional
- Once about half of the orzo has browned, add 2 cups of chicken stock into the pan
- Bring the chicken stock up to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken stock has been absorbed by the orzo
- Transfer the sauce pan onto a heat proof surface, such as a wooden cutting board
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter into the orzo and stir until melted
- Add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley
- Mix until all of the ingredients are fully combined
- Serve warm
