Indulge in the delectable flavors of Kittencal's Parmesan Orzo, a culinary masterpiece that combines the essence of classic Italian cuisine with a touch of modern flair. This versatile dish, perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions, showcases the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The orzo pasta, cooked to al dente perfection, serves as the base for a symphony of ingredients, including grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon zest. As you twirl each forkful, you'll be greeted with a delightful burst of flavors, ranging from the nutty richness of the Parmesan to the aromatic freshness of the herbs. This recipe also includes variations to tantalize every palate, from a creamy sun-dried tomato pesto sauce to a medley of roasted vegetables. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, Kittencal's Parmesan Orzo is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
KITTENCAL'S PARMESAN ORZO
This makes a great side dish with chicken or fish, the dried chili flakes are only optional I like to add in for a little heat you may omit if desired, use a good quality chicken broth for this, make certain to saute the orzo until just lightly browned it really improves the flavor of this dish! ;)
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt butter in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat, add in onion, thyme and red pepper flakes (if using) saute for about 3 minutes.
- Add in orzo and cook stirring with a wooden spoon until orzo is slightly browned (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add in the chicken broth; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed (about 20 minutes).
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.5, Fat 15.2, SaturatedFat 8.4, Cholesterol 35.8, Sodium 1446.8, Carbohydrate 53.6, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 3.7, Protein 22.1
KITTENCAL'S LEMON CHICKEN ORZO SOUP
For the very best results us a good-quality chicken broth for this, you can sub the same amount of uncooked rice for the orzo. I have even added some cooked cubed chicken to this soup, this is one of my family's favorite soups, you will love this!---- see my recipe#118258
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Lemon
Time 20m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a pot.
- Add in the orzo or rice; simmer uncovered until the orzo or rice is cooked (about 10 minutes).
- In a medium heat-proof bowl whisk together eggs and lemon juice until frothy.
- Remove a ladle of hot broth from the pot and slowly add the broth to the egg mixture whisking vigorously; pour the mixture back into the hot soup.
- Remove immediately from the heat (DO NOT LET BOIL!).
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 311.1, Fat 7.5, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 124, Sodium 2041, Carbohydrate 35.2, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 3.5, Protein 22.9
PARMESAN GARLIC ORZO
This is something my son even enjoys making.
Provided by Colleen Volcjak
Categories Side Dish
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic in melted butter until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir orzo into garlic mixture and mix in Parmesan cheese, milk, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 calories, Carbohydrate 39.7 g, Cholesterol 35.5 mg, Fat 14.3 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 9.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 454 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO
From Cooking Light, this is a wonderful side or light main dish. It is good even without the pine nuts if you don't have them on hand, also any herb will work for the basil, you just may need a little more or less depending on the herb.
Provided by kitchenslave03
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
KITTENCAL'S 15 MINUTE PARMESAN PASTA
This takes minutes to throw together, I have made this many times on a busy day it's very good for a quick easy meal --- feel free to add in some cooked chicken, shrimp or your favorite veggie to make it a more complete meal --- I have left the chili flakes as optional if you like some heat add them in with the garlic and adjust to suit your heat level., all amounts may be adjusted to taste.
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories High In...
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the cooked pasta in a bowl; keep warm (do not rinse pasta).
- In a small skillet saute the garlic in olive oil until golden and tender (try not to burn the garlic) then pour the oil with the garlic over the cooked pasta.
- Season with salt and lots of black pepper.
- Add in the Parmesan cheese; toss to coat then serve immediately.
- Delicious!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.2, Fat 21.1, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 22, Sodium 383, Carbohydrate 17.6, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 0.3, Protein 11.3
KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS
There is a method to making the perfect sauce and that is a very long slow cooking time then refrigerate to blend the flavors, a good sauce needs time to "ripen" and develop it's full flavor, this sauce must be made a day or even up 4 days ahead in order for the flavors to intensify, the longer you leave it refrigerated the better it will be --- this recipe makes a fair amount use what you need then freeze the rest in plastic containers for another meal, for a quick thaw just pop in the microwave for about 8 minutes or a little more or thaw in refrigerator overnight, if desired you may partially precook the meatballs on a greased baking sheet in oven before adding to the sauce --- you will love this sauce and you will be making it often! ---- also see my recipe#150207
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Sauces
Time 3h30m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
- Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
- Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
- Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
- Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
- Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
- Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
- Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
- Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
- Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
- Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
- Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 116.3, Fat 0.9, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 1052.2, Carbohydrate 25.1, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 8.3, Protein 5.2
ORZO WITH PARMESAN AND BASIL
This is a simple recipe that everyone loves. For a quick Mediterranean macaroni and cheese, omit the basil. Easily doubled, too!
Provided by DODIEPAJER
Categories Side Dish
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in orzo and saute until lightly browned.
- Stir in chicken stock and bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes.
- Mix in Parmesan cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to shallow bowl. Garnish with basil sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.6 calories, Carbohydrate 42.2 g, Cholesterol 24.1 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 11.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 196.7 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
CREAMY GARLIC-PARMESAN ORZO
The garlic may be adjusted to taste, we love garlic so I use 2 heaping tablespoons, I have left the chili flakes as optional add in for some heat if desired, cooking time does not include cooking the orzo.
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories European
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 362.9, Fat 15.4, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 41, Sodium 420.2, Carbohydrate 44.6, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2.1, Protein 11.2
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the dish will taste. Look for fresh vegetables, high-quality cheese, and flavorful herbs and spices.
- Don't overcook the orzo: Orzo can easily become overcooked, so be careful not to cook it for too long. Aim for al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a good quality Parmesan cheese: The Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in this dish, so make sure to use a good quality cheese that has a strong flavor.
- Add the vegetables and herbs at the end of cooking: This will help to preserve their flavor and color.
- Season the dish to taste: Be sure to taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Conclusion:
Kittencal's Parmesan Orzo is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is sure to please the whole family. The orzo is cooked in a creamy Parmesan sauce with fresh vegetables and herbs. The dish is then topped with a crispy Parmesan crust. This dish is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.
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