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Home » Side Dish » Orzo Side Dish

Published: Apr 29, 2019 · Modified: Apr 15, 2022 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Orzo Side Dish

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A bowl filled with small pasta with herbs.

Orzo Pasta with butter and herbs makes a quick and delicious side dish. This pasta is quick and easy to make and is finished with butter, herbs and parmesan cheese.

This delicious orzo side dish can be ready in just 15 minutes!

A dish filled with orzo topped with cheese.
Table of Contents
Quick and easy side dish
Key ingredients
Step by step directions
Recipe tips
Variations
Serving suggestions
Orzo Pasta, Side Dish

Quick and easy side dish

This orzo pasta with butter, herbs and parmesan cheese has been a staple in our house for as long as I can remember. The kids loved it when they were little and they still love it today.

One of the reasons we ate it so much, besides everyone loving it, was it's so fast and easy to make. On busy nights, it comes together quickly and no pre planning needed.

Orzo pasta is a small, rice shaped pasta.  Because of it's small shape, it cooks quickly. Once it's cooked, you drain it and add the butter, herbs and parmesan cheese. That's it! Dinner is ready!

This pasta is great hot, but leftovers are delicious too. You can simply reheat it or eat it cold! Perfect for throwing into your lunch box.

Key ingredients

Ingredients for making orzo with butter and herbs.
  • Orzo pasta
  • Butter
  • Italian herbs - or use a mixture of dried basil, oregano and rosemary
  • Garlic salt
  • Parmesan cheese

Step by step directions

  • Cook orzo until al dente or cooked to your liking
  • Strain and and return to pan
  • Add butter
  • Stir in herbs and garlic salt
Orzo with butter in a pot.
Herbs with orzo and butter.
  • Add parmesan cheese
  • Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and a bit of fresh parsley, if desired
Parmesan with pasta in a pot.
Close up shot of orzo pasta.

Recipe tips

  • Taste orzo pasta to determine when it's cooked
  • When straining orzo, use a small colander or sieve. The orzo can easily slip through large holes.
  • Do not rinse pasta. Just add straight back into the pot and add the butter to help prevent the pasta from sticking together.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Variations

  • Dried or fresh basil
  • Dried or fresh thyme
  • Dried or fresh parsley
  • Olive oil instead of butter
  • Omit parmesan cheese

Serving suggestions

You can serve this dish with just about anything. Some of my favorites are

  • Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken
  • Beer Can Chicken
  • Pan Fried Walleye
  • Honey Lime Shrimp
  • Tequila Pork Chops

Chicken with a side of pasta.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Be certain to check out all my delicious pasta recipes!

  • Sauteed Morel Mushrooms
  • What to Serve with BBQ Chicken
  • Roasted Whole Carrots
  • Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
A dish filled with orzo topped with cheese.

Orzo Pasta, Side Dish

Kathy
Quick and easy side dish made with a rice shaped pasta, butter, herbs and parmesan cheese.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 190 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz orzo pasta (uncooked)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend (dried herbs)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • fresh chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
    8 oz orzo pasta
  • Drain and place in a serving bowl.
  • Add butter. Stir until melted.
    2 Tablespoons butter
  • Sprinkle garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Stir.
    ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
  • Stir in Parmesan cheese, reserving a Tablespoon to sprinkle on top.
    ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • Serve.

Notes

  • through large holes.
  • Do not rinse pasta. Just add straight back into the pot and add the butter to help prevent the pasta from sticking together.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 150IUCalcium: 57mgIron: 0.6mg
Keyword easy orzo, orzo pasta, orzo with herbs, parmesan orzo
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

This post was originally published in October, 2015. The pictures and text have been updated.

 

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Comments

  1. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    April 29, 2019 at 6:03 am

    Orzo is one of my favorites Kathy, And I love what an easy side this is. Can't wait to add it to our menu!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Orzo is one of my favorites too!

      Reply
  2. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

    April 29, 2019 at 5:37 am

    5 stars
    The perfect side dish! I love this orzo pasta - so good 🙂 Brilliant idea!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    October 20, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    I love fast and easy recipes, this looks like a winner Kathy!!

    Reply
  4. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    October 19, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    Kathy, you and I are on the same wave length - I've got an orzo salad coming up soon. I love how quick and easy this is - perfect side dish to whip up that's a crowd pleaser!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2015 at 6:55 pm

      I can't wait to see your salad!

      Reply
  5. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    October 19, 2015 at 10:04 am

    Wow! You guys really are busy! This orzo dish looks like the perfect solution to get dinner on the table fast!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      We need a couple of quick go-to meals and sides to keep us going!

      Reply
  6. David @ Spiced says

    October 19, 2015 at 5:48 am

    This looks like such a fun and easy side dish. Perfect for those busy nights when you need to whip up something easy...and delicious! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Fast, easy and delicious is the way to go!

      Reply
    • David @ Spiced says

      April 29, 2019 at 5:52 am

      5 stars
      I see that I loved this recipe a few years back! No surprise that I love it still. A good orzo salad is hard to beat, and the Parmesan cheese in this recipe sounds fantastic!

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        April 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

        You've still got great taste, David! 😉

  7. Laura says

    October 19, 2015 at 4:35 am

    Life is crazy busy these days! And here I am fussing with my Halloween costume. Oh well. Anyhow, I love this dish because you say you turn to it for your family again and again. Now that's a winner. I appreciate finding "the one" that great dish that the family will eat again and again. Will have to try!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2015 at 4:45 am

      I'm glad you take time for the fun things....like a Halloween costume!

      Reply
  8. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    October 17, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    I love orzo! I'm totally adoring how quick and easy yours is! Busy work week, comforting perfection! YUM!

    Reply
  9. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    October 17, 2015 at 9:47 am

    I love orzo pasta. And yours look absolutely divine, Kathy. Happy weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

    October 17, 2015 at 8:56 am

    I need to try orzo before!! This looks delicious!

    Reply
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics..

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