Easy Orzo

I love having recipes that I can make using a few simple ingredients that I always have on-hand. It makes it so much easier and stress-free when I'm menu planning.

This easy side is made with orzo - a rice pasta. It can be cooked just like it sounds: like rice or like pasta. This particular recipe cooks it just like rice, but it still has the texture of a delicious, easy pasta. 

Feel free to change it up and use what you have on hand. For example, I didn't have parmesan or basil in the fridge, so I used parsley and mozzarella. It was still amazing! Once you get the basic technique down, you can make it your own using what you like and what you have.

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Creamy Parmesan Orzo

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup orzo
1¼ cups chicken broth
1¼ cups water
¼ cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo, and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly until orzo smells nutty and is slightly toasted. Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and orzo is done (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.