Creamy Orzo Bacon Pasta Recipe

This creamy orzo recipe is such a nice departure from a typical pasta dish. The tender orzo has such an amazing texture and the white sauce with bacon and parmesan is so decadent and creamy. Make it for your next potluck or quick weeknight dinner. 

What is Orzo?

Orzo, aka risoni, is a pasta that’s made from white flour and cut into a shape that resembles a grain of rice. It can be substituted anywhere that you would use traditional pasta or risotto rice. You’ll find it served warm with a variety of different sauces or tossed into pasta salads. 

Making this Creamy Orzo Recipe

​Making this creamy orzo recipe is so simple, a kid could prepare it. Below, find a simplified overview of the recipe before you dive in.

• Cook the Orzo: Prepare the orzo and set it aside. 
• Caramelize the Onions: Dice the onions and caramelize them in a large skillet with a bit of butter. 
• Build the Creamy Sauce: Add the bacon crisps to the skillet, followed by the heavy whipping cream. Bring the sauce to a boil. 
• Add in the Orzo: Next, add in the cooked orzo and parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt. Serve warm and enjoy!

4 Tips for Nailing this Creamy Orzo Recipe

Here you’ll find a handful of tips to help you make the most out of this creamy orzo bacon pasta.

• Cook the orzo until it’s al dente. Since the orzo will continue to cook in the sauce after you boil it, only cook it until to al dente (a firm bite) to prevent it from turning mushy.
• Toss the orzo in olive oil while you make the sauce. To prevent the orzo from sticking together after you boil it, drain it in a colander and immediately toss it in a bit of olive oil.
• Add in your favorite sautéed veggies. If you want to pack a serving of veggies into this dish, go for it. Sautéed asparagus, broccoli, shallots, mushrooms, and peas work especially well. Or, toss in a couple of cups of fresh spinach once the pasta is finished and stir it in until it wilts. 
• Toss in some fresh herbs. For a pop of color and flavor, add in fresh parsley (Italian flat leaf, not the kind that is used as a garnish) or fresh basil. 

Ways to Serve this Creamy Orzo Recipe

Serve this creamy orzo pasta recipe as a side dish to your favorite protein, such as perfect grilled chicken or air fryer pork chops. If you’d like to serve it as a main dish, pair it with a homemade caesar salad or a tomato peach burrata salad. For a kid-friendly weeknight meal, serve it alongside some buttery garlic knots.

Storing Your Leftovers

To keep your creamy orzo pasta fresh for up to 5 days, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This will keep the orzo from hardening. To reheat the pasta, zap it in the microwave or warm it in a skillet with a splash of heavy cream to rehydrate it as it cooks. 

FAQ

Other Pasta Recipes to Try

• Creamy Shrimp Scampi – Buttery shrimp tossed in pasta
• Creamy One-Pot Pasta – Creamy pasta with sausage
• Easy One-Pan Meatball Pasta Recipe – Meatball and spinach pasta
• Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo – Plump shrimp tossed in creamy white sauce

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Recipe

Creamy Orzo Bacon Pasta Recipe

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Servings

10 Servings

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This creamy orzo pasta recipe is simple comfort food at its finest. A dish that's both mature enough for adults and kid-friendly!

Ingredients

• 1 lb orzo pasta
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup bacon crisps
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1 tsp salt adjust to taste

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Cook orzo pasta according to the package instructions.
  
• Dice the onions. In a deep skillet over medium heat, caramelize them in a bit of butter until softened.
  
• Add the bacon crisps to the onions, followed by the heavy whipping cream. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  
• Add the cooked orzo pasta into the skillet, followed by the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and season to taste with salt.
  
• Serve immediately and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Orzo Bacon Pasta Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 52mg17%

Sodium 479mg20%

Potassium 184mg5%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 468IU9%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 88mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.