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    Home » Sides » Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Roasted Asparagus

    Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Roasted Asparagus

    Published: Apr 2, 2017 · Modified: Mar 8, 2023 by Wendie · 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Creamy orzo in a skillet and a wooden spoon scooping some out.

    This Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo is creamy cheesy pasta loaded with garlic and parmesan cheese and roasted asparagus and comes together in 20 minutes.

    Parmesan orzo with asparagus in a red skillet and wooden spoon.


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    This lemon parmesan garlic orzo can be served as the main course or a great side dish. This recipe is comforting and easy and uses a handful of simple ingredients, the hint of fresh lemon flavor gives it a nice bright freshness, and blends well with the crisp asparagus.

    What is orzo pasta

    Orzo is tiny rice-shaped type of pasta and you can enjoy it in pasta salads, warm side dishes, or easy dinner recipes like my one-pot recipe Herb Chicken Breasts with Rice Pilaf or try my Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup that's a family favorite. It's nice to make a pot of this on Sunday for quick meals or lunches throughout the week.

    Why this recipe works

    This easy orzo pasta recipe is perfectly filling with lots of flavor, served as a stand-alone or fantastic as a simple side dish to my Grilled Teriyaki Steak or Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken . Great side dishes don't get much easier than this one, creamy sauce with garlicky parmesan goodness and a touch of lemon.

    Ingredients needed for garlic parmesan orzo

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe.
    • Pasta: Dry orzo pasta is at most grocery stores
    • Butter: Both unsalted and salted works here.
    • Garlic: I always use fresh garlic cloves.
    • Lemon: Fresh lemon juice
    • Chicken broth: I use low sodium, if you use regular you may want to leave out the added salt and just add some to taste at the end.
    • Parmesan cheese: Fresh grated or shredded
    • Cream: Heavy cream is what I prefer to use but half n half will also work for a light cream sauce.

    How to make parmesan orzo pasta

    Raw asparagus placed on a baking sheet and roasted.
    • Step 1: Cook orzo in a large pot to al dente according to the package directions. Place asparagus on a baking sheet and add the olive oil salt and pepper.
    • Step 2: Roast until tender.
    Garlic and butter sauteed in a skillet then flour added.
    • Step 3: Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add butter and garlic.
    • Step 4: Whisk in the all-purpose flour.
    Chicken stock added into the skillet with heavy cream.
    • Step 5: Pour in the chicken stock, and lemon juice and simmer.
    • Step 6: Whisk in the heavy cream and simmer on low.
    Parmesan cheese whisked in and melted, then pasta and asparagus folded in.
    • Step 7: Stir in the parmesan cheese.
    • Step 8: Add in the cooked pasta and asparagus and mix.
    A wooden spoon scooping out some creamy orzo.

    Recipe Tips

    • Use fresh Parmesan cheese from the deli not the stuff in the green can.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    • Add some shredded chicken or bacon to beef in this easy recipe.
    • Add in some herbs like fresh basil or fresh thyme.
    A white bowl with creamy orzo pasta.

    Recipe Faq's

    How much does 1 cup of orzo make?

    1 cup of uncooked orzo pasta with give you about 2 cups of cooked pasta.

    Why is my orzo mushy?

    You don't want to overcook it. You want to cook it until just about al dente or else it will be mushy.

    Can I use a different vegetable?

    Of course! Fresh spinach, broccoli, or even frozen peas would be delicious in this creamy garlic parmesan orzo.

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    A wooden spoon scooping out some creamy orzo.

    Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Roasted Asparagus

    Wendie
    Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo is creamy cheesy pasta loaded with garlic and parmesan cheese and roasted asparagus and comes together in under 20 minutes.
    4.50 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 302 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb Asparagus
    • 2 teaspoons Olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
    • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
    • 2/3 cup heavy cream
    • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese - shredded or grated
    • Fresh parsley for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • Cut 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus. Place asparagus on baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over asparagus and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Roast for 8 minutes or until tender. Set aside and let cool. Then cut into bite size pieces.
    • Heat a pot of water on medium high heat and cook orzo to al dente, drain and set aside.
    • In a skillet on medium heat add butter, once melted add garlic and cook until fragrant about 1 minute.
    • Stir in flour and cook for 30 seconds,
    • Whisk in chicken stock, lemon juice, let simmer 2-3 minutes until thickened.
    • Reduce heat and add in cream and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until combined.
    • Add orzo and asparagus toss until combined.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste, it will thicken as it sits.
    • Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

    Notes

    If you asparagus is really thick or skinny the adjust the roasting time accordingly.
    Use fresh parmesan cheese (found in the cheese section) not the stuff in the green container.
    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    Add some shredded chicken or bacon to beef in this easy recipe.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gramsCalories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 10gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 875mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g
    Keyword asparagus, garlic parmesan, orzo
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


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    Comments

    1. Wendie

      July 11, 2023 at 10:35 pm

      This recipe is best served right away. Although it will taste delicious the sauce will thicken as it cools. You could make everything separately and then heat it up together in a dish before serving.

    2. Mary

      July 11, 2023 at 7:55 pm

      Can this be made ahead of time and served at room temperature? I was thinking of making this to take it somewhere. Thank you.

    3. Wendie

      March 20, 2023 at 10:51 pm

      Yay Lia, so happy you loved it 🙂

    4. Lia

      March 20, 2023 at 4:47 am

      Made this tonite. Followed recipe exactly with the addition of some bacon. It was very satisfying & delish. It came together quickly.

    5. Paula@SweetPea

      May 01, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      This sounds so good and I"m looking forward to trying it with fresh, in-season asparagus.

    6. Wendie

      April 29, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      Thank you, Joy! 🙂

    7. Joy

      April 29, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      I love how simple and easy your recipes are.

    8. Wendie

      April 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Yay Judi! So glad you loved it 🙂

    9. Judi bost

      April 20, 2019 at 5:34 am

      5 stars
      This is a real keeper. A little labor intensive but most prep can be done ahead of time and easy to put together at the last minute.

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