This Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Peas is a comforting, elegant side dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. The tender orzo pasta is enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce with sweet peas for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Parmesan Orzo with Peas is a versatile dish that works for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The creamy texture and savory Parmesan flavor create a restaurant-quality side dish with minimal effort. It’s quick to prepare, requiring just one pot, which means less cleanup afterward. Kids and adults alike love the mild, cheesy flavor profile, making it a true family-friendly recipe. Plus, it’s easily customizable with various add-ins to suit your tastes or use what you have on hand.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Orzo pasta is the star of this dish, with its rice-like shape that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully. Its small size makes it perfect for creamy dishes where you want each piece coated in sauce.
Butter creates the foundation of flavor in this dish, adding richness as you toast the orzo at the beginning of cooking. This initial toasting step adds a subtle nutty dimension to the pasta.
Vegetable broth infuses the orzo with flavor as it cooks, much like in a risotto. The pasta absorbs the savory liquid, creating layers of taste that plain water simply can’t provide.
Heavy cream transforms this dish from ordinary to luxurious, creating a silky texture that coats each grain of pasta. It mellows the sharpness of the Parmesan while adding body to the sauce.
Parmesan cheese brings its characteristic salty, nutty complexity that deepens the overall flavor profile. As it melts into the hot cream and orzo, it creates a deliciously cohesive sauce.
Peas provide bursts of sweetness and a pleasant textural contrast to the creamy pasta. They also add a pop of color and nutritional value to the dish.
Salt and pepper are essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. The amount needed will depend partly on the saltiness of your broth and Parmesan.
Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note and vibrant color to the finished dish, cutting through the richness of the cream and cheese.
Directions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the orzo and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and peas. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peas are heated through and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect as a side dish or a lighter main course. The entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes, with 5 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time. Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, making it a reasonable addition to a balanced meal.
Variations
Protein Additions: Turn this side dish into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp.
Vegetable Mix-ins: Beyond peas, consider adding asparagus tips, sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or wilted spinach for additional nutrients and flavor.
Herb Infusions: Elevate the dish with fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or chives either cooked in or sprinkled on top before serving.
Lemon Brightness: Add lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for a bright, citrusy note that balances the richness.
Garlic Lover’s Version: Add 2-3 minced garlic cloves when toasting the orzo for an aromatic dimension.
Truffle Enhancement: For special occasions, finish with a drizzle of truffle oil or chopped truffle for an earthy, luxurious touch.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftover Parmesan orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will absorb more of the sauce as it sits, becoming thicker.
Freezing: While possible to freeze, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. If freezing, store in portion-sized containers for up to 1 month.
Reheating on Stovetop: The best way to reheat this dish is on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or milk to loosen the consistency, stirring frequently until heated through.
Microwave Reheating: For quick reheating, microwave in a covered container with a tablespoon of water or milk added, stopping to stir halfway through.
Refreshing: After reheating, consider adding a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan and herbs to revive the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta instead of orzo?
Yes, you can substitute small pasta shapes like stelline, acini de pepe, or even pearl couscous. Cooking times may vary slightly, so monitor the pasta for doneness as you cook.
How do I prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot?
Stir the orzo frequently, especially during the initial toasting phase and periodically as it absorbs the broth. Using a heavy-bottomed pot also helps prevent sticking and burning.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, substitute plant-based butter, coconut cream or cashew cream for the heavy cream, and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
Is there a way to make this recipe healthier?
Consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, increasing the vegetable content, using whole grain orzo if available, and moderating the amount of Parmesan cheese.
My sauce seems too thin, how can I thicken it?
Continue cooking the mixture for a few extra minutes, as the orzo will absorb more liquid. You can also add a bit more Parmesan cheese, which helps thicken the sauce as it melts.
Can I use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth?
Absolutely! Chicken broth works wonderfully and adds a different but complementary flavor profile. Use what you have on hand.
How do I know when the orzo is cooked properly?
The orzo should be tender but still have a slight bite to it (al dente). The pasta will continue cooking slightly when you add the cream and cheese, so it’s okay if it’s just barely done when you finish the broth stage.
Can I prepare this dish in advance for a dinner party?
You can partially prepare it by pre-measuring ingredients, but the dish is best made shortly before serving. If needed, you can fully prepare it up to an hour ahead and gently reheat with a splash of cream or broth before serving.
What main dishes pair well with this Parmesan orzo?
This versatile side pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted meats like chicken, salmon, or steak. It also complements vegetable-forward mains like stuffed bell peppers or roasted vegetable platters.
Conclusion
This Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Peas exemplifies how simple ingredients can transform into an extraordinary dish with minimal effort. The combination of tender orzo, rich Parmesan, and sweet peas creates a harmonious balance that satisfies as both a side dish or light main course. Whether you’re serving it alongside a protein for a complete meal or enjoying it on its own, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 20 minutes. Its versatility makes it adaptable to what you have on hand, and its crowd-pleasing nature ensures it will become a recurring favorite in your cooking repertoire. Master this basic version, then feel free to experiment with the suggested variations to make it truly your own.
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Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Peas
A creamy and delicious Parmesan orzo pasta dish with peas, perfect as a side or light main course.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the orzo and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and peas. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peas are heated through and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a non-vegetarian version, you can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
- You can substitute frozen peas with fresh peas when in season for a fresher flavor.
- Add a bit of lemon zest for a citrusy kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
