What is Orzo? A Pasta That Cooks Like Rice
I’ve been living in the U.S. for about 10 years, but it wasn’t until I met my husband five years ago that I discovered orzo pasta! Sounds funny, right? Yes, I literally “discovered” orzo by accident while shopping for rice at Safeway or Whole Foods—I can’t remember which. I was looking for brown rice and ended up buying what I thought was a larger grain variety.
When I got home, my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) saw my purchase and said, “Woo, pasta tonight!” I looked at him, confused, and said, “Huh?” That’s when I realized orzo is actually pasta, not rice! 😂
Once I learned how to cook easy orzo, I started experimenting with different methods. My favorite way to makecreamy orzo? Using the oven! It’s my best friend when it comes to easy cooking, making one-pot (pan) orzo pasta recipes simple and effortless. Below, I’m sharing my go-to Easy One-Pan Orzo Recipes with Parmesan Cheese, a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
One-Pan Orzo Pasta
Equipment
- 1 baking pan ( container )
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tomato
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 300 ml chicken broth
- 5-6 mushrooms
- french beans add according to your preferences.
- shrimp add according to your preferences.
- 1 tiger pepper optional
- ½ tbsp tomato paste
- salt add according to your preferences.
- paprika add according to your preferences.
- black pepper add according to your preferences.
- 1 tsp Vegetable oil
- Parmesan or Mexican blend cheese add according to your preferences.
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Orzo
- In a baking pan, combine orzo, vegetable oil, chopped tomato, and salt, black pepper and 300ml chicken broth.
- Cover with foil and bake at 355°F (180°C) for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients
- Chop the garlic, French beans, mushrooms, and tiger pepper.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a bowl, mix: 100ml chicken broth + 1 tablespoon tomato paste + black pepper + salt
Step 4: Second Bake
- After 30 minutes, remove the orzo from the oven and add the chopped vegetables and sauce to the baking dish.
- Cover and bake at 360°F (182°C) for 25 minutes.
Step 5: Final Bake
- Remove the foil to allow the liquid to reduce. Don’t forget to add cheese if you want a cheesy layer.
- Bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.
