Description
This Lemon Butter Sauce Orzo is a bright, creamy side dish that comes together in minutes. Tender orzo is coated in a silky lemon-butter and cream sauce, finished with Parmesan and fresh parsley for a comforting yet zesty bite. It’s simple enough for weeknights but elegant enough to sit beside roasted chicken, seafood, or grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
- Reserve a small cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the orzo and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant and soft but not browned.
- Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice and let it bubble for about 1 minute to mellow the sharpness.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly, and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked orzo to the skillet, tossing to coat every grain in the creamy lemon butter sauce. Splash in a little reserved pasta water if the mixture seems too thick.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is glossy and smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Remove from the heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor bottled juice will make the sauce taste flat.
- If the sauce thickens too much as it sits, loosen it with a splash of warm water, milk, or cream just before serving.
- Grate the Parmesan finely so it melts smoothly into the sauce without clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: lemon orzo, lemon butter sauce, creamy orzo, pasta side dish, quick weeknight side, parmesan orzo