Best 2 Roasted Garlic Orzo Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of roasted garlic orzo, a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. This versatile dish, starring plump orzo pasta enveloped in a rich, garlicky sauce, can be tailored to suit your preferences. Whether you seek a comforting main course, a flavorful side dish, or even a quick and easy weeknight meal, roasted garlic orzo delivers. Embark on a culinary journey with three enticing variations: the classic roasted garlic orzo, a zesty lemon and herb-infused version, and a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach rendition. Each recipe offers a unique twist that promises to delight your taste buds.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC & SPINACH ORZO



Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach Orzo image

This side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. -Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 whole garlic bulb
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1-3/4 cups uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta
2-1/2 cups chicken stock
3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed
1 package (9 ounces) fresh spinach, trimmed and chopped
1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon salt-free garlic pepper seasoning blend
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ROASTED GARLIC ORZO



Roasted Garlic Orzo image

Categories     Garlic     Pasta     Side     Roast     Quick & Easy     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon poppy seeds if desired
1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) orzo (rice-shaped pasta)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Tightly wrap garlic in foil and roast in middle of oven about 25 minutes, or until tender. Carefully unwrap garlic and let cool slightly. Remove skin from cloves and mash into a paste. Transfer garlic paste to a bowl and stir in butter and parsley.
  • While garlic is roasting, in a small skillet dry-roast poppy seeds over moderate heat, shaking skillet until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Add seeds to garlic mixture.
  • While garlic is roasting, in a saucepan of boiling salted water cook orzo until tender and reserve about 1/4 cup cooking water. Drain orzo well and add to garlic mixture with enough reserved cooking water to melt butter and prevent orzo from sticking together. Season orzowith salt and pepper.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling.
  • Roast the Garlic: Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and makes it more spreadable. To roast the garlic, simply cut off the top of the head, drizzle it with olive oil, and wrap it in foil. Roast the garlic at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes, or until it is soft and golden brown.
  • Cook the Orzo: While the garlic is roasting, cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Be sure to salt the water before adding the orzo.
  • Sauté the Vegetables: While the orzo is cooking, sauté the vegetables in a large skillet. Use a little bit of olive oil and cook the vegetables over medium heat until they are tender.
  • Combine the Ingredients: Once the garlic, orzo, and vegetables are cooked, combine them in a large bowl. Add the roasted garlic cloves, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve: Serve the roasted garlic orzo warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Roasted garlic orzo is a flavorful 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 roasted garlic flavor, tender orzo, and fresh vegetables, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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