This creamy garlic one pan orzo will be your new favourite mid week pasta meal. It comes together in under 15 minutes and is all made in the one pan! With its rich and savoury flavours, it’s a classic comfort food that resembles a creamy alfredo pasta.

Creamy garlic one pan orzo

I love nothing more than a one pot meal that only requires a few basic ingredients to make and will please my whole family. This creamy garlic one pan orzo ticks all those boxes, making it a versatile option for various creamy sauces. For what it lacks in dishes to clean and the amount of ingredients needed, it really makes up for with flavour! The garlic cream sauce is made with heavy cream, butter, parmesan cheese, lots of butter and a squeeze of lemon juice to cut through the rich flavour. Orzo, cooked right in the sauce along with chicken stock, absorbs all of these delicious winter comfort flavours.

With a creamy sauce and orzo’s rice-like shape, this dish is very similar to risotto but without all the labour and time! Unlike a risotto where patience is key and lots and lots of stirring is required, this recipe comes together so quickly offering the same creamy goodness of a risotto.

And I know what you may be thinking, with the use of garlic confit this dish does not come together as quickly as I am letting on. But as I always say, garlic confit can be made in advanced and stored in your fridge for up to 4 weeks. Or you can replace garlic confit with fresh raw garlic cloves to save on time. The choice is yours!

Creamy garlic one pan orzo ingredients

This creamy orzo recipe uses a handful of easy-to-find ingredients to make a flavorful, comforting weeknight dinner. Here’s what you’ll need:

Garlic: We obviously need a lot of garlic for a garlic cream pasta sauce! I have chosen to use my famous garlic confit as the flavour is soft and sweet however, raw garlic will work just as well! Replace the garlic confit with 6 cloves of raw garlic that have been finely sliced. Try to avoid minced garlic as this will burn when we are making the sauce.

Olive oil: High quality extra virgin olive oil is always the way to go! If you have decided to use garlic confit, make sure you use all of that garlic infused olive oil!

Onion: Minced yellow onion adds a sweet, aromatic base that’s essential in building the flavor profile. You can also use a french shallot for a milder flavour.

Butter: I have used unsalted butter but you can also use salted! If using salted butter be sure to not use as much salt when seasoning your sauce.

Orzo: Orzo is a rice shaped pasta that gives this dish a similar taste and feel to risotto. If you cannot source orzo, any small shaped pasta will work.

Chicken Stock: Try out my homemade chicken stock recipe or buy a hiqh quality chicken stock! As this recipe has minimal ingredients, high quality ingredients will really shine. You can also use vegetable stock if you would like to keep this dish vegetarian.

Cream: The cream adds a richness to the sauce. If you are wanting to make this meal a little healthier, you can replace the cream with greek yoghurt.

Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness of the dish.

Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated cheese is always my preference when using cheese as it has far less preservatives and cooking agents in it! You could also use pecorino romano.

Fresh parsley: Finely chopped fresh parsley adds a brightness and vibrancy to this dish. You could also stir through some baby spinach!

Salt and pepper: I’m keeping the seasonings simple so the the other ingredients can really shine. Just a little Kosher salt and black pepper to enhance the other flavors in this recipe. 

How to make creamy garlic one pan orzo

Here is how you make this incredibly easy dish that comes together in no time!

Begin the sauce: In a large fry pan on a medium heat, bring the olive oil to heat. Add the onion to the pan and sauté until translucent and fragrant. Stir occasionally to prevent the onion from browning. Add the garlic and butter to the pan and stir through. Cook until the butter has melted and is foaming.

Add the orzo: Add the orzo to the pan and toss through the sauce until slightly brown. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low – medium and cook on a gentle simmer for 5 – 8 minutes or until the orzo is el dente, plum and has absorbed 80% of the liquid. Add a little more stock if needed.

Garnish: Take off the heat and stir through the cream, lemon juice, parsley and parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with a little extra cheese if you please!

Variations and Customizations

One of the best things about creamy garlic pasta is its versatility. Here are some variations and customizations you can try:

• Add protein: Cooked chicken, shrimp, or spicy Italian sausage can add protein and flavor to your creamy garlic pasta. These additions can make the dish more filling and satisfying.
• Mix and match cheeses: While parmesan is a classic choice, you can also try mixing it with other cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, or even goat cheese. Each cheese brings its own unique flavor and texture.
• Add some heat: Red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos can add a spicy kick to your creamy garlic pasta. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
• Go vegetarian: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and add roasted vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini to create a vegetarian version. This option is just as delicious and packed with nutrients.
• Make it dairy-free: Substitute heavy cream with a non-dairy milk alternative such as Greek Yoghurt and use vegan parmesan cheese to create a dairy-free version. This way, everyone can

Serving Suggestions

This creamy garlic pasta goes with so many delicious side recipes! Check out some of my favourite serving suggestions below:

• Serve with garlic bread: A classic combination that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The crispy bread pairs perfectly with the creamy pasta.
• Add a side salad: A simple green salad or a more substantial grain salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta. It’s a great way to balance the meal.
• Serve with roasted vegetables: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus can add some color and nutrients to your meal. They complement the creamy garlic sauce beautifully.
• Serve with protein: Serve with protein such as my crispy crumbed chicken.

Orzo, or…Risoni

Risoni vs Orzo. It’s all the same thing—just known by different names in different places. I love orzo because it feels like the cheats way to make risotto. Orzo is a popular term used in many parts of the world, while risoni is commonly used in Italy and other European countries. Both names refer to a type of small, grain-like pasta that is perfect for soups, salads, and creamy sauces.

It’s less work, less of a labour of love and can be made on a weeknight. Orzo is a great and fun pasta shape that is often overlooked, but not anymore!

Check out my other orzo pasta recipes

I love cooking with orzo and have made many recipes using it! Check some of them out below:

• Lemony shrimp orzo
• One pot creamy orzo with burrata and tomatoes
• Basil garlic pesto orzo pasta salad

Watch how to make

If you make this Orzo recipe, please tag me on Instagram, Tik Tok or Pinterest so I can see your wonderful creations!If you have any questions or would like to leave a review, please do so here! I always love answering your food and recipe related questions and hearing your feedback on my recipes.

Images by Alanna Penn Photography.