Creamy garlic parmesan orzo is a delicious pasta side dish or main course made by cooking orzo in a flavorful chicken broth then finishing it off with some Parmesan cheese and heavy cream.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
This Garlic Parmesan Orzo is creamy, comforting, and incredibly easy to make.

It’s a recipe you’re definitely going to want to hold on to because it’s always a hit and incredibly versatile. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve served it.
And let’s not forget that it requires super simple ingredients with very little effort to put together. That’s my kinda recipe.

You can serve this as a main course or as a side dish to pretty much any meal you can think of. Add some cooked protein and vegetables for even more variety.
The orzo is cooked right in the chicken broth giving it rich, savory flavor in single every bite.

Everyone in my family loves when I make this recipe so it’s a no brainer when I’m looking for something easy to serve them.
Don't forget to give this Broccoli Cheddar Orzo and Creamy Orzo With Chicken a try, too.
I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, I know you’ll love it just as much as my family and I do.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo Variations
I like this orzo recipe made just the way it is, but here are some ways to change it up if you’d like to.

- Pasta- Any small shaped pasta like arancini, pastina or daltini would be ok to use here.
- Broth-Use either chicken or vegetable broth.
- Protein- Add in some cooked chicken, shrimp or vegetables like broccoli for added texture and substance.
Other Easy Pasta Recipes
If you like super easy to make pasta recipes like this one, here are some others that I know you’ll love, too.

- One Pot Broccoli Mac & Cheese
- Creamy Gnocchi With Sausage
- Million Dollar Baked Rigatoni
- Creamy Cafeteria Noodles
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo Ingredients

- Butter
- Minced Garlic
- Orzo
- Chicken Broth
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt. Pepper, Garlic Powder and Parsley
Instructions
First, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat.

Now, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant.

Then, add the orzo and stir it into the butter and garlic for about 3 minutes to toast up.

Next, stir in the chicken broth.

Now, bring to a boil over medium high heat and then reduce it to a simmer.

Then cover the skillet and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally.

Next, stir in the heavy cream.

Then, grate in the fresh Parmesan cheese and stir it into the orzo.

Now, season the orzo with salt, pepper and garlic powder. If there’s a little too much liquid, cook the orzo uncovered for a couple extra minutes.

Finally, garnish with parsley (optional), serve warm and enjoy.


Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 Tbs Butter
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Cup Orzo
- 2.5 Cups Chicken Broth
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbs Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant
- Add the orzo and stir it into the butter and garlic for about 3 minutes to toast up.
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 10-12 minutes). Stir occasionally.
- Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
- Season the orzo with salt, pepper and garlic powder. If there’s a little too much liquid, cook the orzo uncovered for a couple extra minutes.
- Garnish with parsley (optional), serve warm and enjoy.