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–+ servings
A bowl of pesto orzo pasta with shredded chicken and halved cherry tomatoes, a vibrant and flavorful dish.

Pesto Orzo

A vibrant and flavorful orzo pasta dish with pesto.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Orzo
  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 4 cups water for cooking orzo
  • 1 teaspoon salt for cooking orzo
For the Pesto Sauce
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves packed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup cooked chicken shredded or diced

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large skillet

Method
 

  1. Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While the orzo cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
  3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. In a large skillet, combine the cooked orzo and the pesto. Stir well to coat the orzo evenly.
  5. If using, add the cherry tomatoes and cooked chicken to the skillet. Heat through for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently.
  6. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a creamier texture, you can add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to the pesto sauce. You can also substitute other nuts like walnuts or almonds for pine nuts.

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