Our Favorite Easy Orzo Recipe
This easy orzo recipe makes a simple side dish that works beautifully with a wide variety of meals. It's flavorful in its own right but also complements lots of other flavors.
Calories: 277kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams) orzo pasta
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) good salted butter (such as Kerrygold)
- ½ cup (60 grams) grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a medium pot halfway with water, add 2 tablespoons salt, and bring to a boil.
- Add orzo, give it one big stir, and then cook undisturbed to al dente according to package instructions. Adjust heat as necessary to maintain a boil or very brisk simmer without letting the pot overflow.
- Drain pasta and place back into pot.
- Toss with butter and lemon juice until butter is melted.
- Stir in parmesan or pecorino and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and serve.
Video
Notes
- Orzo means "barley" in Italian, but orzo pasta is made from semolina just like other pasta. The name refers to the shape, which looks like grains of barley or rice. Orzo is a flexible pasta shape that's great for hot dishes, pasta salads, and soups.
- Use a really good-quality butter if you can. Here and virtually everywhere, I start with a cultured, salted butter from grass-fed cows. This sounds fancy but doesn't have to be. Kerrygold, for example, is sold in most supermarkets at a reasonable price.
- There's no substitute for freshly squeezed lemon juice. It adds a beautiful brightness to this recipe.
- Use pecorino, parmesan or a combination. Pecorino (made with sheep's milk) is a little bit saltier and tangier, while parmesan is a bit sweeter. They both work very well in this recipe.
- Like most simple pasta recipes, this one is quick and easy to make, and it's at its best shortly after cooking. I don't recommend going out of your way to make it in advance.
- That said, it makes great leftovers. You can take the chill off with a short spin in the microwave and then toss with vegetables and maybe some canned white beans for a great quick lunch. Try halved cherry tomatoes, blanched asparagus cut into bite-sized pieces, and a handful of chopped fresh herbs like basil, parsley and chives.
- I especially like topping this orzo recipe with saucy proteins, like striped bass and roast chicken (minus the potatoes).
Nutrition
Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.9g | Protein: 9.7g | Fat: 7.1g | Fiber: 1.8g