Creamy Italian Orzo

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup cremini mushroom
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup canned peas
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• salt, to taste

Recipe

• 1 bring a salted water to a boil over high heat. add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente (slightly firm), stirring often, about 8 minutes. drain, saving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• 2 meanwhile, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. add onion, mushrooms and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. stir in the half and half and peas. add the orzo and toss to coat. remove pan from heat. add parmesan to pasta mixture.
• 3 stir pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. season the orzo with desired amount of salt, and serve hot.
• 4 chunks of chicken or shrimp could be added if you choose to serve this as a main dish.