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    Home » Other sides » Easy Herbed Risotto Styled Orzo

    Easy Herbed Risotto Styled Orzo

    Published: Apr 8, 2014 · Modified: Jun 6, 2022 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Orzo, like rice, can be a blank canvas for flavors. Start with this simple recipe for Herbed Orzo, then let your imagination take over

    Herbed Orzo in a bowl.
    Creamy "risotto" orzo with fresh herbs is a perfect side dish

    The Story Behind Herbed Orzo

    This recipe for Herbed Orzo is not really a recipe at all.

    Well, it is a recipe, but it's not. Just like orzo looks like rice, but it isn't. It's pasta. But it works just like rice. Clear enough?

    What is Orzo really?

    Orzo, Italian for "barley" due to its resemblance to the grain in its unprocessed form. It is a small rice-shaped pasta made from semolina flour. It's classified among pasta as "pastina" — a category of tiny shapes commonly used for soups.

    It is not gluten-free but its shape and simple pasta flavor lend it well for making it the base of many tasty dishes like I used here in my recipe for Tequila Sunrise Pork with Orzo where it is used similar to risotto. 

    The main purpose of this recipe is to simply show how easy it is to take something very ordinary, plain orzo, and change it into a fresh, tasty side, like Herbed Orzo.

    The fresh herbs transform. A little butter and some fruity extra virgin olive oil lend a nice mouthfeel. It's like making pesto but without the work. The flavors are so easy to work with; add a little parmesan cheese. It's a new side. Add some pine nuts, different again. How about some fresh peas? or Spinach? Really, this recipe is just a concept. A blank canvas. Ready for your creative touch to your family's taste?

    So create away!

    Raw orzo in a measuring cup with herbs scatted around.

    Easy Herbed Risotto Style Orzo

    LindySez
    Orzo, like rice, can be a blank canvass for flavors. Start with this simple recipe for Herbed Orzo, then let your imagination take over.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Rice & Grains
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 109 kcal
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    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup orzo pasta
    • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
    • ½ teaspoon fresh minced thyme
    • ½ teaspoon fresh minced oregano
    • ½ teaspoon fresh minced tarragon
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain reserving ¼ cup of the cooking liquid. Return the orzo to the pot and stir in the butter, oil, and herbs along with salt and pepper, to taste. Add a little pasta water if you want a looser dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 109kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 77mgFiber: 1g
    Keyword orzo, orzo risotto, rice shaped pasta
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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    Welcome to LindySez! I'm Lindy, a self-taught home chef with a passion for helping others feel confident in the kitchen. I believe cooking should be approachable, fun, and above all, delicious!

    My mission is to guide anyone—whether you grew up on fast food or rarely cooked at home—to create amazing meals with ease. Through simple recipes and practical tips, I’ll show you how to turn everyday ingredients into flavorful dishes.

    Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating—let’s make it enjoyable together!

    More about me →

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