Monday, December 22, 2008

Cheesy Orzo Pasta

This afternoon after work, Josh and I ran to the DMV and got our new licenses! Afterwards, we came home hungry! Josh asked if I could make him dinner early. I dove right in and made Rachel Ray's Cheesy Orzo. I mixed in peas and chicken for him.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans (14 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth or stock
2 cups orzo pasta (enriched rice may be substituted)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Preheat a 8 inch pot with a tight fitting cover over moderate heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and saute for 2 or 3 minutes. Add broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and return broth to a boil. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed and pasta tender. Remove lid and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. You favorite fresh herbs may also be stirred into the orzo or rice to strengthen the flavor even more.



I ate a slice of bread from last night and am about to head to the gym for Body Pump. I will eat my orzo mixed with chickpeas (instead of chicken) later! What are you having for dinner?

29 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Perfect comfort food!! :-)

Chef Jeena said...

Looks tasty Erica, I had pasta tonight too. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow! That does look good.

I'm thinking about flattening out some chicken out and warping it around spinach, turkey, and Swiss.

Then searing it on the stove, and tossing it in the oven to bake with some extra Swiss on top.

I've made it once before as an experiment, and it was delicious.

K from ksgoodeats said...

Great sub for your dinner - love chickpeas!

You'll get to see what I'm having later tonight ;)

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm not sure yet, but that orzo looks good!

Krista said...

That sounds great! I bet some chicken would be tasty in that!!

Speaking of chicken...that's what was on the menu tonight!

Anonymous said...

Erica I am freaking out! We used to make that ALL THE TIME! Am I right when I say it makes a million servings?! It's kinda dangerous!
I'm working on leftovers. :) So tasty!

Anonymous said...

that sounds so good!
I had left over mac n' cheese :)

Elizabeth said...

Yum! I love orzo. I'm having tomato soup for dinner. :)

Anonymous said...

mmmmmmmmmm as rachael would say yummmo!

lauren said...

looks really, really good. I made baked tofu with edamame tonight. super healthy, but I am still hungry and want some of that. ;)

Darius T. Williams said...

I mean, really - who can go wrong w/this?

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

A lot of RR's recipes actually look good :)
And it seems like you did a great job with this one!!

Anonymous said...

You know I have never made orzo. Looks really easy. OK, you convinced me - I'll try it soon. Thanks Erica!

Jenn said...

That looks sooo tasty! I had a wheat pita stuffed with spinach and a boca "chicken" patty. Simple, quick and pretty tasty.

Unknown said...

oh my, i still need to get my new lisence... i had some sw. potato, chicken, and broccoli slaw :) dessert was the best part, though, i'll have to get it posted soon!

Fitnessista said...

the pasta looks so good! thank you for the recipe!
for dinner, i had butternut squash fries and snobby joes :D
have a great night!

HangryPants said...

I love cheesy pasta dishes and orzo is just the best!

Esi said...

Cheese and orzo are a great combo (even if it is Rachael Ray, haha). I had an incredibly rich dessert for dinner and I felt a little sick after. Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Trying To Heal said...

Mmmmm...great dinner! i need to try orzo again! it's been a while!

Anonymous said...

Mm, that looks great! I've had orzo once or twice, but have never made it for myself. I think it would taste even better with cheesssseee!!

Yay for getting licenses! Does it feel more like home now?

Anonymous said...

LOL - I LOVED that picture of Lilly the puggle - thanks for thinkign of me and Lando :)

That cheesy orzo pasta is making my stomach growl! :)

Bridget said...

That looks so insanely good to me right now!!! Straight comfort food and I want some :)

Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point said...

oh man that looks really good! thanks fo sharing the recipe. subbing out chicken for chickpeas sounds pretty divine!

Sara said...

This looks great, I made a similar recipe of hers once that had a mixture of vegetables in it.

Maria said...

Hey! How's it going? Sorry I haven't been by in awhile. We are just being bums at home:) I hope you have a great Christmas!! The pasta looks fab!

Anonymous said...

yummy! looks good!

Dewi said...

Very tasty looking orzo. Delicious.
Cheers,
Elra

Quinn said...

Mmmm....some Rachael Ray recipes I"m leery about, but that one looks great!

You reminded me I need to get a new license. Ugh, the good 'ole DMV.