Parmesan Truffle Orzo Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Creamy orzo with Parmesan and truffle oil brings Italian decadence to your table.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta

→ Dairy

02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
04 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Seasonings & Oils

06 - 1 tablespoon truffle oil
07 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - Additional grated Parmesan
11 - Fresh chopped parsley

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over low heat and maintain at a gentle simmer.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, about 1 minute.
03 - Add orzo to the skillet, stirring continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - Add warm broth one ladleful at a time, stirring often. Wait until each addition is mostly absorbed before adding more, similar to risotto technique.
05 - Continue until orzo is al dente and nearly all broth is absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the orzo is creamy and well blended.
07 - Remove pan from heat, drizzle truffle oil over the orzo, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to desired taste.
08 - Top with additional grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get creamy decadence and earthy truffle flavor with surprisingly little effort.
  • It turns any gathering or solo dinner into a restaurant-worthy treat with just a handful of simple ingredients.
02 -
  • If you add the broth too fast, the orzo gets soggy instead of creamy—that mistake taught me to be patient and let each addition absorb fully.
  • Using pre-grated Parmesan once turned my sauce clumpy and grainy; fresh-grated really does make all the difference.
03 -
  • Warm broth is essential—it helps the orzo cook evenly and stay creamy without getting mushy.
  • Adding the truffle oil off-heat preserves its earthy aroma—don’t cook it or the flavor fades fast.
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