Lemon Orzo is the creamy, lemony one-pot side that the family will be asking you to make on repeat! Adding some zesty lemon and a splash of heavy cream to this cute little rice-shaped pasta makes an easy side dish that tastes a bit more special.
This easy lemon orzo is a rich and creamy pasta dish made in one pot, with minimal ingredients and is a perfect weeknight recipe.
Table of Contents
Why I think you will love this recipe
- One-pot wonder.
- Use as a side or main.
- Easy to add your own twist by adding fresh herbs, leftover veggies or protein.
What you need to make lemon orzo
*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions
- butter
- orzo pasta (risoni) - small pasta shapes that look similar to rice
- fresh garlic
- chicken stock
- salt
- fresh ground black pepper
- heavy cream
- fresh lemon juice
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
- parsley - optional garnish
*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions
Substitutions for this lemon orzo recipe
- butter - substitute olive oil
- chicken stock - sub with chicken broth, vegetable broth/stock or water
How to make lemon orzo
- Melt the butter and toast the orzo.
- Add crushed garlic.
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- Add stock and simmer.
- Stir in cream, lemon juice and parmesan cheese.
My top tips for the best result
- Frying the orzo a little before the liquid is added brings extra flavour to the dish.
- I heat the stock in the microwave before it's added to the pasta, this is just to save time.
Storage
Keep any leftovers of this lemon orzo pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You may need to add a splash of stock when you reheat it.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Orzo Salad - a fresh pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, bocconcini and chargrilled capsicum dressed with rocket pesto.
Spinach Mashed Potatoes - a big bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes, loaded with baby spinach, fresh basil, shallots, lemon zest and feta cheese - the complete side dish.
Lemon Salmon Pasta - a smooth, creamy sauce of chilli, garlic & lemon combined with still-pink salmon, with tomatoes & parsley for freshness.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup orzo risoni
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 cups chicken stock hot
- ½ teaspoon cooking salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup thickened cream heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- chopped parsley optional garnish
Watch me make this recipe
Instructions
- In a large pan or skillet, heat butter over medium heat, add the orzo and stir to coat.1 tablespoon butter1 cup orzo
- Fry gently for 3 - 4 minutes until starting to lightly brown, then add the crushed garlic and continue to fry for an additional 30 seconds.2 garlic cloves
- Pour in hot stock, add salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.2 cups chicken stock½ teaspoon cooking salt¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes (or until the orzo is cooked).
- Add in cream, lemon juice and parmesan cheese, stir until heated through.⅓ cup thickened cream2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Serve sprinkled with extra grated parmesan and chopped parsley (if using).chopped parsley
Notes
- Toasting the orzo before the liquid is added brings extra flavour to the dish.
- I heat the stock in a jug in the microwave before I add it to the pasta: this is just to save time. If you don't heat the stock before adding it, this will add a little to the overall time the dish takes.
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This was my first time making orzo. I made white rice in the rice cooker as a back up, as I wasn't sure if this would turn out or if my family would even like it. Well, the orzo is gone and the rice was untouched. I followed the recipe exactly, and wow... so yummy!!
That's great Jessica, I'm glad everyone enjoyed it!
I’m making this right now, but there’s no indication of lemon juice amounts in the recipe! Ahhhh!!!!!!
OMG Bri - I'm sooooo sorry!!!!!! Oops! Putting it in now - big apologies!