Restaurant-Quality Rice Shaped Pasta (Orzo)
A flavorful and versatile rice-shaped pasta recipe featuring toasted orzo cooked in broth and finished with cheese and fresh herbs. This restaurant-style dish can be customized with ground beef chuck, chicken, sausage, seafood, or vegetables for an easy weeknight meal.
Equipment
- Large skillet, saucepan, wooden spoon, measuring cups, knife, cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry orzo rice-shaped pasta
- 2 cups chicken beef, or vegetable broth
- 1 –2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 –2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional Add-ins
- 1 pound ground beef chuck
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 12 ounces chicken sausage
- 1 pound shrimp
- 1 salmon fillet
- Spinach cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, roasted vegetables
Instructions
- Toast the dry orzo in a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
- Add olive oil and sauté onion until translucent.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds.
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Add parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Serve immediately as a side dish or add your preferred protein for a complete meal.
Notes
Nutrition (Estimated Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Cholesterol: 8mg
