I have had a true factor with bacon the previous pair of years, which relatively amuses me simply because most of my everyday living I didn’t seriously enjoy it. Still there’s something about its crispy, salty taste that lends an remarkable savoriness to just about everything you pair it with.

Typically, I like to buy turkey bacon simply because it’s leaner and we aren’t that into pork, but I’ve been selecting up the actual offer bacon and it’s been a excellent addition to some of our weeknight foods. A few of several years ago I perfected this more healthy pasta carbonara, and who could forget about about my amazing bacon wrapped dates? Drooling just imagining about them.

This summer months I shared an amazing bacon parmesan brussels sprouts spaghetti, which was loosely influenced by this outstanding, creamy garlic parmesan orzo pasta with spinach, crispy bacon and all the veggies you could aspiration of. This delicious, nutritious 30 moment dinner is one that you can throw alongside one another any day of the week. Everybody enjoys it many thanks to that flavorful, crispy bacon. Personally, I’m a large enthusiast due to the fact it is a terrific justification to use up all the veggies in your fridge (together with an full package of spinach!)

I advise serving this recipe with a side of my best at any time garlic bread, since the hell why not?

What is orzo?

Whilst orzo seems to be like a form of rice, it’s really a rice-formed pasta. I love utilizing orzo for swift and quick lunches and dinners due to the fact you can basically prepare dinner it like you do standard pasta, or you can cook dinner it the very same way you would rice. Recipes like this parmesan orzo pasta are mouth watering eaten warm or chilly, and orzo is even awesome in veggie-packed salads.

Two approaches to cook orzo

There are actually two tremendous uncomplicated methods to cook orzo!

  1. The pasta technique: I ordinarily prepare dinner orzo applying this common technique. You are going to boil a big pot of h2o, add a pinch of salt, stir in orzo, and cook right up until al dente about 6-8 minutes. At the time orzo is performed cooking, drain pasta and established aside in the colander.
  2. The rice system: You can also cook it the exact same way you prepare dinner rice. In a pot bring orzo and double the amount of water to a boil, lower the heat, protect your pot, and allow the orzo simmer until finally all of the liquid is absorbed.

garlic parmesan orzo pasta in a pot and in two bowls

Every little thing you are going to need to make this parmesan orzo pasta

This quick garlic parmesan orzo is crammed with colourful veggies, tender orzo pasta and some savory bacon. What extra could you question for?! Here’s what you’ll require to make it:

  • Orzo: the foundation is, of program, delectable orzo!
  • Bacon: we’re adding a wonderful savory, salty aspect with bacon.
  • Deliver: you are going to also have to have garlic, spinach, shredded carrots, red bell pepper and corn. Stunning!
  • Butter: I like to prepare dinner down the veggies in butter, but really feel totally free to use olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Seasonings: never overlook garlic powder, salt, pepper and purple pepper flakes (if you like a minimal warmth).
  • Parmesan: gotta have that melty cheese in every chunk! Plus, garlic and parmesan together is just *chef’s kiss*.

Our fav component swaps

Searching to customise a bit? Here’s what we can endorse for substituting in this orzo recipe:

  • Swap the bacon. Really feel absolutely free to use sliced, sauteed hen sausage alternatively, or even some cooked, shredded hen!
  • Make it vegetarian. A can of rinsed, drained white beans or even roasted, crunchy chickpeas would be the great swap for the bacon to preserve the recipe vegetarian.
  • Choose your pasta. I enjoy the creaminess of orzo, but you can seriously use any pasta form you’d like! Orecchiette or angel hair would be fantastic. You can also use your favorite gluten no cost or full grain pasta.
  • Up the veggies. Sense cost-free to swap or increase in any veggies you’d like as perfectly. Broccoli would be scrumptious.

healthy garlic parmesan orzo pasta in a bowl with veggies and a spoon

Recommendations for the most effective garlic parmesan orzo

  • Use freshly grated parmesan alternatively of the parmesan that arrives out of the eco-friendly jar, which frequently has caking agents in it. We want the true offer parmesan for taste and straightforward components! You can commonly get new, previously grated parmesan at the retail outlet.
  • Make guaranteed to reserve some pasta water just after you boil the pasta and just before you drain it. The pasta h2o is starchy and will aid to generate a good creamy sauce when mixed with the pasta and parmesan cheese.
  • Use very good-high-quality bacon and cook dinner it above medium warmth, then swap it to medium minimal to prevent burning. Sense absolutely free to prepare dinner it for far more or fewer time depending on how crispy you like it, and blot the excess grease from the bacon when it is performed.

How to store leftovers

Insert any leftover orzo to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Simply just reheat in a microwave safe dish.

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Get all of our awesome noodles & pasta recipes listed here!

I hope you really like this simple, delightful garlic parmesan orzo recipe! If you make it be absolutely sure to go away a remark and a score so I know how you favored it. Appreciate, xo!

Recipe by: Evi Madison // SRCooking | Pictures by: Eat Like Eats

This publish was initially posted on March 26, 2019, and republished on September 1st, 2021.