Best 7 Cheesy Orzo Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Craving a dish that combines the richness of cheese with the comforting texture of orzo pasta? Look no further! This article presents a culinary journey into the world of cheesy orzo recipes. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a selection of delectable dishes that showcase the perfect harmony of creamy cheese and tender pasta. From classic baked orzo to skillet creations and vibrant variations featuring vegetables, herbs, and spices, we've got you covered. Whether you prefer a simple yet satisfying meal or a more elevated culinary experience, this exploration of cheesy orzo recipes promises to deliver a delightful culinary adventure.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY ORZO



Cheesy Orzo image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans (14 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth or stock
2 cups orzo pasta (enriched rice may be substituted)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat a 8 inch pot with a tight fitting cover over moderate heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and saute for 2 or 3 minutes. Add broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and return broth to a boil. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed and pasta tender. Remove lid and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. You favorite fresh herbs may also be stirred into the orzo or rice to strengthen the flavor even more.

CHEESY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI ORZO



Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo image

Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. -Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1-1/4 cups uncooked orzo pasta
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen broccoli with cheese sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat broccoli with cheese sauce according to package directions., In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add chicken, onion, salt and pepper; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender. Drain orzo. Stir orzo and broccoli with cheese sauce into skillet; heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 655mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH MARINARA



Cheesy Baked Orzo With Marinara image

A vegetarian weeknight pasta that's as comforting as it is easy, this dish will win over adults and kids alike (red-pepper flakes optional!). While fresh mozzarella can become tough and chewy when baked, shredded low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully. Serve this with a simple, lemony arugula salad or a Caesar salad for ultimate weeknight comfort.

Provided by Lidey Heuck

Categories     dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup orzo
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 7 cups)
1 (24- to 25-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus torn or sliced basil for serving
1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the orzo and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a very large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn), about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing often, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
  • Stir the cooked orzo into the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella, sprinkle the Parmesan on top, and bake, uncovered, until the Parmesan is melted and the pasta is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil, and serve warm.

CHEESY ORZO



Cheesy Orzo image

A delicious side dish that goes great with chicken and pork!

Provided by Andi

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 cups chicken broth
1 (16 ounce) package orzo pasta
3 tablespoons butter
1 white onion, chopped
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 cup Marsala wine
1 cup frozen peas
½ cup heavy whipping cream
4 ounces shredded fontina cheese
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a pot; stir in orzo. Cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Pour orzo and broth into a bowl.
  • Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and mushrooms in the melted butter until softened, about 7 minutes. Pour in Marsala wine and simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir mushroom mixture into orzo.
  • Stir peas, cream, fontina cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper into orzo-mushroom mixture. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  • Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and thyme together in a bowl; sprinkle over orzo-mushroom mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs are lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337.1 calories, Carbohydrate 38.3 g, Cholesterol 41.4 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 652.8 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

CHEESY CHORIZO AND ORZO-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



CHEESY CHORIZO AND ORZO-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH image

Categories     Pasta     Vegetable     Bake     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 sm-med sized acorn squash(halved and seeded)
3/4 c. water
1 c. orzo pasta
2 c. chicken broth
2 chorizo sausages(fresh/ raw) out of the casing
1 c. fat-free milk
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper
olive oil

Steps:

  • 1) Preheat the oven to 400 F 2) place halved squash cut-side down in a baking dish and add 3/4 c. water. Cover tightly with foil and bake until fork-tender( about 35 min.) 3) Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a med pot and add the orzo. Cover and reduce to a simmer for about 15-20 min, the pasta should be al dente, and will have absorbed some of the broth) 4) Cook up the chorizo in a pan until done.(Crumble it as it cooks) 5) When the pasta is done add the milk and bring to a simmer. Once hot, stir in the cheeses, reserving some to sprinkle on top. 6) Stir the cooked chorizo into the orzo 7) When the squash is tender, remove form the oven and drain the remaining water. Turn the squash so the cut side is facing up. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 8) Divide the orzo mixture between the 4 squash halves and sprinkle each with the reserved cheese. 9)Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until cheese on top is slightly brown

CHEESY ORZO



CHEESY ORZO image

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans (14 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth or stock
2 cups orzo pasta (enriched rice may be substituted)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano
Salt & pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat a 8 inch pot with a tight fitting cover over moderate heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and saute for 2 or 3 minutes. Add broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and return broth to a boil. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed and pasta tender. Remove lid and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. You favorite fresh herbs may also be stirred into the orzo or rice to strengthen the flavor even more.

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH BACON & PEAS RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Cheesy Baked Orzo with Bacon & Peas Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by carol gorman

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces bacon, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
8 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound orzo
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook 8 minutes, until crispy. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk, bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Stir in Gruyere, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo; cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain. Stir into sauce with peas and cooked bacon. Transfer orzo to a 2-quart baking dish. Top with Parmesan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned.

Tips:

  • For a creamier sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk.
  • Add a cup of cooked and shredded chicken or shrimp to the orzo for a protein-packed meal.
  • Roast the tomatoes in the oven for a deeper flavor.
  • Use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella, for a more complex flavor.
  • Top the orzo with fresh herbs, such as basil or thyme, for a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Cheesy orzo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its creamy sauce, flavorful tomatoes, and tender orzo, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »

    #30-minutes-or-less     #time-to-make     #course     #main-ingredient     #preparation     #side-dishes     #eggs-dairy     #easy     #cheese     #stove-top     #dietary     #pasta-rice-and-grains     #equipment

Related Topics