Description
This One Pot Lemon Orzo Pasta is a creamy, tangy, and comforting dish made with tender orzo pasta cooked in buttery garlic broth and finished with fresh lemon juice and Parmesan. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a perfect quick meal full of bright flavors and easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta (about 278 grams)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/3 cup cream (any kind, heavy cream for richer flavor)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Toast Orzo and Garlic: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the orzo pasta and minced garlic, stirring constantly and toasting them for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the low sodium vegetable or chicken broth along with the salt and cracked black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the orzo is cooked to your preferred tenderness. If the liquid evaporates before the pasta is done, add a little more broth as needed.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Stir in the cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley until everything is well incorporated, creating a creamy sauce coating the orzo.
- Add Lemon Juice and Serve: Gradually add the lemon juice, tasting as you go, until you reach your desired level of lemony brightness. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Orzo Substitutions: Use similar small pasta shapes like alphabet or ditalini for the best texture.
- Cream Options: Any cream works; heavy cream thickens sauce, lighter cream produces a thinner sauce. Omitting cream is possible but add extra broth to maintain moisture.
- Lemon Flavor: For more lemon brightness, add lemon zest alongside the juice.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth, cream, or water to keep creamy texture.
- Freezing: Can freeze but expect softer pasta texture after thawing.
