Three-Cheese Orzo Pasta
“Creamy, cheesy orzo recipe simmered in chicken broth with onions and garlic! Quick, easy and delicious side dish!”
Visual learner? Watch me make this 3-cheese orzo from start to finish!
In the past, when it came to side dishes my boys, like most kids, would always vote for mac n cheese or french fries. Hey, I tried.
In an attempt to expand their side dish likes I started creating a ton of different side dishes. Most of them were fails (for them) but two managed to make the cut, and those two were veggie tater tots and 3-cheese orzo!
Whew, I’ll take that win! Today we’re going to discuss this three-cheese orzo!
If you have kids, try this out on them and see how it goes. Heck even if you don’t have kids, orzo makes a fantastic side dish option!
What the heck is orzo?
Orzo looks a lot like rice, but it’s pasta! You can serve it in soups and salad, but we prefer it plain as a side or even a full meal.
It’s not the healthiest side dish option, I mean it’s pasta after all, but man is it a crowd-pleaser and a great alternative when you want something other than potatoes or rice.
How do you cook orzo pasta?
Well first forget whatever you read on the back of the box because it usually says to boil it in water first. Boo!! I mean, yeah you could fix it that way but here’s how we like to fix it!
First, we toast the orzo in some butter, and then we simmer in chicken broth! MMM MMM MMM!!! It’s delicious just like this with nothing else added, for real! But we sometimes like to add onions, garlic, and cheese for a quick and comforting side dish.
If this is your first time making orzo, try it plain with just the chicken broth. If you’re a pasta fan, then I can almost promise this will become a staple in your home.
For this recipe, I’m throwing in some onions, garlic and 3 different kinds of cheese. Use your favorite cheese here. I switch it up all the time depending on what I have on hand. Today I’m using parmesan, Colby jack, and some mild cheddar.
If you really wanna get fancy and make it a full meal you can throw in some peppers/broccoli and sausage/chicken!
Get the Recipe: Three-Cheese Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup onions, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese, I used a mixture of parmesan, Colby jack, and mild cheddar
- Parsely, garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add onions and cook until tender.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in orzo and cook until lightly toasted, stirring constantly.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until most of the broth is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
- Garnish with parsley.
- Serve.
Looooove it! Simple and easy. Toasting orzo add flavor.
Everybody loved it, Good to make with little helpers as in video! I should have doubled the recipe, it went quickly!
I am getting ready to make this and already know it will be terrific! Can I freeze it?
I made this as a side to baked salmon and my family loved it! They had seconds and thirds! Very simple to make and so delicious! We will definitely be making again and again. Only thing that I changed was I only had beef broth instead of chicken, but I think either or can be used.
I made this tonight and it was amazing! I used Parmesan and sharp cheddar. It is very flavorful, savory, and easy to make. My only regret is not making more because everyone in the family loved it. Thanks for the delicious recipe!