Creamy Parmesan Garlic Rice Pilaf is a delicious and creamy side dish that’s SO easy to make! This scratch made side dish is sure to please your family’s taste buds and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it actually is tomake!
If the prospect of cooking rice intimidates you (like it used to intimidate me), this delicious and easy recipe will help you to be rid of those doubts once and for all! Bringing this delicious side dish together will be a reward in itself. The combination of Orzo pasta and white rice gives Creamy Parmesan Garlic Rice Pilaf it’s unique texture. And the delicious combination of butter, cream cheese, garlic, whole milk and parsley flakes combine to create a flavorful accompaniment to any main dish.
Saute onion, Orzo pasta and rice in butter over medium high heat.
In this step, the pasta and rice will take on a slightly browned look. This enhances the flavor and adds a little more color to Creamy Parmesan Garlic Rice Pilaf. Stir constantly during this step to avoid scorching.
Once the Orzo and rice have taken on a beautiful light brown color, add the chicken stock.
Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and let simmer.
Next, while the Orzo and rice are simmering, make the delicious and creamy sauce.
In a medium skillet, melt remaining butter then add the minced garlic and saute briefly. Cut the cream cheese into small cubes. This makes the cream cheese easier to melt and combine. Add about half of the milk and whisk to help melt the cream cheese and to combine ingredients. Once the sauce begins to thicken, add about half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and allow to thicken slightly. Add remaining milk and Parmesan cheese and continue to whisk sauce.
Once sauce is combined, add the parsley flakes and whisk to combine.
Fluff Orzo and rice mixture again with a fork.
Next pour sauce mixture over Orzo and rice, and stir gently to combine. And there you have it! Easy, peasy, delicious Creamy Parmesan Garlic Rice Pilaf! YUM 🙂 And here’s the whole recipe!
Lisa - Cornfed Creations
Yields 10 servings
An easy & delicious side dish!
10 minPrep Time
25 minCook Time
35 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, melt 2 T. butter; add onion and sauté briefly over medium/high heat. Add the Orzo and rice to the onion and sauté, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. When Orzo and rice have browned, add the chicken stock, along with a pinch of salt; then stir briefly to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat. Let mixture simmer for 15-17 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; cover and set aside.
- In a medium skillet, melt the remaining 2 T. butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until garlic becomes aromatic. Cut cream cheese into small cubes and add to hot garlic butter. Whisk or stir to break up cream cheese, then add about ½ cup of the milk and continue to stir until sauce begins to thicken. Whisk in about ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Then, gradually whisk in remaining milk and Parmesan cheese as sauce begins to thicken. Continue to whisk until sauce is slightly thick, but still easy to pour. Stir in the dried parsley flakes. Pour sauce over Orzo and rice. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.
I hope you all enjoy! I’d love to get your feed back on this or any other recipe here at Cornfed Creations! So feel free to drop me a line or two! Have a great week! Lisa 🙂
If you love these recipes, check out my Cornfed Creations Cookbook ! It features over 100 different recipes for quick and easy meal fixin’s.