Best 3 Creamy Italian Orzo Recipes

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Indulge in a creamy and flavorful culinary journey with our delectable Creamy Italian Orzo recipe. This dish is a delightful blend of tender orzo pasta, a creamy sauce infused with aromatic herbs and spices, and a medley of vegetables. It's a perfect weeknight meal that can be easily prepared in under 30 minutes.

This recipe features a selection of variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. For vegetarians, we offer a meatless version with a hearty combination of roasted vegetables, ensuring a satisfying and nutritious meal. If you prefer a creamy tomato sauce, we have a variation that adds a tangy and vibrant flavor to the dish. And for those who enjoy a cheesy twist, there's a variation with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, creating a gooey and irresistible experience.

Each variation is explained with clear instructions, making it easy for home cooks of all levels to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you're following a vegetarian diet, craving a creamy tomato sauce, or want to indulge in a cheesy delight, this recipe provides options for everyone to enjoy.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY ITALIAN ORZO



Creamy Italian Orzo image

Orzo is a small Italian pasta that looks very much like rice. This dish is a fabulous blend of creaminess which gently balances the punch of the onion and garlic. Peas and cremini mushrooms are an added surprise in this dish that can be eaten as a side or a main course.

Provided by Adopted Parisian

Categories     Onions

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup cremini mushroom
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 cup canned peas
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
salt, to taste

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.3, Fat 12.3, SaturatedFat 5.5, Cholesterol 25, Sodium 213.1, Carbohydrate 50, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 3, Protein 14.6

CREAMY ITALIAN CHICKEN & ORZO SKILLET



Creamy Italian Chicken & Orzo Skillet image

Make and share this Creamy Italian Chicken & Orzo Skillet recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Philly Cooking Creme

Categories     Chicken

Time 24m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 (10 ounce) container Philadelphia Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme
1/2 cup chopped tomato
2 cups hot cooked orzo pasta

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 ITALIAN ORZO RISOTTO



Creamy Italian Orzo Risotto image

Ever made risotto and been overwhelmed because its a long process and can't get alot of other stuff done with the constant stirring? Well then you might want to try this...

Provided by Sarah Pavelchak

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 box orzo pasta
4 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp black pepper
1/4 c white wine
1/2 can(s) cream of chicken soup
1/2 c pasta water
1 bunch sage
1 bunch thyme, leaves
1 Tbsp salted butter
1/2 c parmesan cheese
1/2 small onion chopped
2 small garlic cloves chopped

Steps:

  • 1. Boil Orzo in salted water for only 5min. pasta needs to still be aldente. Once cooked, drain and poor cold water over to stop the cooking process.
  • 2. Right before you drain the pasta make sure to save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • 3. While pasta is boiling sautee chopped onion and garlic in the 3 tlbs. of Olive oil. Cook till soft. Then add white wine.
  • 4. Take the cool drained pasta and add to the onions, garlic, and white wine on about a med. heat.
  • 5. Next add sage, thyme (both herbs should be chopped finely), the 1/2 can of cream of chicken and the pasta water to the orzo.
  • 6. Stir the mixture continually for about 5min. Mixture should be low boiling, that way the pasta will absorb the liquids.
  • 7. Add the pepper and parmesean cheese last when mixture seems creamy and absorbed enough. The finishing touch will be the butter.
  • 8. The whole cooking process should only take about 20min. That way you have time to cook something else if you wish, goes great with grilled chicken!

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheeses, and a good quality olive oil will make all the difference in the taste of your dish.
  • Don't overcook the orzo: Orzo is a small pasta that cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. It should be cooked al dente, with a slight bite to it.
  • Add the vegetables and cheese at the end: This will help to keep them from getting overcooked and mushy.
  • Season to taste: Be sure to taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  • Serve immediately: Creamy Italian orzo is best served hot and fresh.

Conclusion:

Creamy Italian orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great dish to serve at parties or potlucks. With its creamy sauce, flavorful vegetables, and cheesy topping, creamy Italian orzo is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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