Light Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Peas

Name: Light Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Peas
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 small onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1½ cups dry orzo 24 ounces chicken broth (or vegetable broth) ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1½ cups frozen peas (thawed); 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

3 steps

Prep:5minCook:15min

*Pairs well with Crusted Cod* After cooking, you should have about 3.5 cups cooked orzo total. Divide into 5 equal portions (~¾ cup each). Each serving (approximate): ~300 calories ~14–15g protein ~40–45g carbs ~8g fat

Updated at: Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:36:31 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Good

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Moderate

Nutrition per serving

Calories272.1 kcal (14%)

Total Fat9.9 g (14%)

Carbs33.5 g (13%)

Sugars5.9 g (7%)

Protein13.6 g (27%)

Sodium1001.8 mg (50%)

Fiber7.1 g (26%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

5 servings

1 tablespoonunsalted butter

1 teaspoonolive oil

1onion

2cloves garlic

1 ½ cupsdry orzo

24 ounceschicken broth

½ teaspoonsalt

½ teaspoonItalian seasoning

¼ teaspoonblack pepper

1 ½ cupsfrozen peas

thawed

¾ cupgrated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 2

Add uncooked orzo, chicken broth, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until most of the liquid has been absorbed and orzo is al dente (check your pasta's package directions for exact cooking times - for De Cecco brand orzo the cooking time is 10 minutes).

Step 3

Remove lid and add peas and Parmesan cheese. Stir for about a minute, or until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.