Lemon parmesan orzo with basil, cayenne, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of milk is an easy and zesty side dish.
This quick and easy lemon parmesan orzo recipe with fresh herbs is a perfect dish from late spring to the end of summer. Serve alongside Italian chicken cutlets or chicken and green beans. Or, serve as an orzo pasta salad for a crowd.
You can even add protein to make this your main course. Try lemon parmesan orzo with shrimp, grilled chicken, or lamb meatballs.
If you like lemon recipes, try these lemon pepper fries next.
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Recipe Highlights
- Flavorful: Fresh juice and lemon zest pop with a dash of cayenne pepper for lots of flavor.
- Quick & easy: This is a 20-minute side dish that's great even for beginners.
- Simple ingredients: Fresh produce and common, easy-to-find ingredients.
Jump to:
What is orzo?
This rice-shaped pasta is not rice. Orzo looks like rice but is a type of pasta. It is also known as risoni.
It can be served hot or cold like other types of pasta. Orzo can be boiled and drained like other pasta cuts or cooked with less liquid on low heat like rice (like this recipe).
Ingredients
- Butter - Salted butter is best. If using unsalted, add salt to taste to the finished dish.
- Orzo pasta - Uncooked orzo pasta.
- Chicken broth - Or stock. See substitution notes below.
- Parmesan cheese - Shredded, grated, or shaved.
- Fresh lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice has a brighter flavor than bottled.
- Fresh basil - If using dried basil, see substitution notes below.
- Milk - To add to the creaminess of the cheese.
- Lemon zest - Use a microplane or citrus zester. See directions below.
- Cayenne pepper - Ground cayenne pepper for a touch of spice.
- Garlic powder - For taste.
- Salt - To taste.
Directions
Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat to medium-high heat.
Stir in orzo until coated with butter.
Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes or until orzo browns slightly (see photos for reference).
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until al dente. The orzo absorbs all of the broth, so there is no liquid to drain.
Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded parmesan, fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, milk, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and add salt to taste if desired.
Serve lemon parmesan immediately while it is still warm.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Citrus zester (see zesting instructions below)
How to zest a lemon
Zesting a lemon is easy. Use a citrus zester, microplane, or cheese grater to zest the bright yellow outside of the lemon peel.
- Hold the citrus zester in one hand by the handle. Place the other tip of the microplane on the counter, holding it at an angle.
- Hold the lemon in your other hand and push it lengthwise down the zester from the handle to the other tip.
- Rotate the lemon as needed to get more of the bright yellow peel.
Tip: Use the outermost layer of the lemon peel. The white layer underneath can have a bitter taste.
Substitutions
- Broth - Use chicken stock, chicken broth, vegetable both, or even water.
- Lemons - Fresh lemons are the only way to go! No substitutions here. Trust me, it's worth it to juice and zest your own lemons.
- Parmesan - This dish is also delicious with feta cheese crumbles.
- Basil - Fresh basil is preferred but can be substituted with dried basil. Instead of two tablespoons of fresh basil, use 2 scant teaspoons of dried basil. This recipe would also be great with fresh parsley.
- Milk - For a dairy-free option, use 1 tablespoon water or unsweetened non-dairy milk. For a creamy orzo, try heavy cream instead.
- Cayenne pepper - Cayenne pepper can be omitted or replaced with red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you may like freshly ground black pepper instead.
Variations
- Main dish - Instead of a delicious side dish, make this part of the main meal by doubling your portion and tossing in your favorite protein (grilled meat adds amazing flavor), greens, and fresh veggies (try frozen peas or fresh sweet peas). Serve in a bowl with fresh baby spinach (stir in while the orzo is hot to wilt the spinach leaves) and shrimp, grilled chicken, or lamb meatballs. If doubling the recipe, use a large skillet instead of a medium saucepan.
- Pasta salad - Serve this delicious lemon orzo as a warm or cold pasta salad. Double the recipe and add 5-10 ounces of halved cherry tomatoes.
Storage
Allow the orzo to cool to room temperature. Store leftover orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Cooked orzo can be frozen for up to three months. To use frozen orzo, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Parmesan Orzo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste if desired
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Stir in orzo until coated with butter. Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes or until orzo browns slightly.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded parmesan, fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, milk, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and add salt to taste if desired. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Broth - Use chicken stock, chicken broth, vegetable both, or even water.
- Basil - Fresh basil is preferred but can be substituted with dried basil. Instead of two tablespoons of fresh basil, use 2 scant teaspoons of dried basil. This recipe would also be great with fresh parsley.
- Milk - For a dairy-free option, use 1 tablespoon water or unsweetened non-dairy milk.
- Cayenne pepper - Cayenne pepper can be omitted or replaced with red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Tell me what easy side dish recipes you'd like to see next.
Carol says
Making this for the family tonight. I can't wait!
Xavier says
This was the tastiest meal I've had all week. Totally makes work days better.