This Cheesy Garlic Bread Orzo was the first recipe in my popular February 2022 Orzo Series. The first step is to make garlic confit. This was my first time making garlic confit and I was surprised with how simple it was to make. It’s a bit time consuming, but most of the time was hands-off as the garlic confit cooks on the stove over low heat. It was particularly easy if you buy pre-peeled garlic cloves to save a lot of prep time!
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If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out some other favorites from my February Orzo Series such as:
One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato & Boursin Cheese Orzo
This creamy sun-dried tomato orzo all cooks in one pan and is so flavorful. It pairs perfectly with my air fryer parmesan crusted chicken recipe.
Check out this recipe
One Pot Shrimp & Grits Style Orzo
If you like shrimp and grits then you will LOVE this shrimp and grits inspired orzo! The orzo is cooked in chicken broth and whole milk and loaded with sharp cheddar cheese. It's all topped off with shrimp, crispy bacon, herbs, and hot sauce for that familiar shrimp and grits flavor.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Garlic Bread Orzo
This orzo inspired by one of my favorite appetizers – cheesy garlic bread! It starts by making a batch of flavorful garlic confit, then crispy brown butter bread crumbs, and finally a garlicky parmesan orzo.
Equipment
- Sauté Pan This Made In Sauté Pan is my favorite for all of my orzo recipes
Ingredients
- 2 heads Garlic separate cloves and peel
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil add more if needed to submerge garlic
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary optional; use herbs of your choice
- 2 Dried Red Chilis optional
- 2 tbsp Butter divided
- 1/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped into small pieces
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup Orzo uncooked
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella freshly grated
Instructions
- To a small saucepan, add 2 heads worth of peeled garlic cloves. Pour in olive oil until the garlic is just submerged. Add optional ingredients for extra flavor. I added rosemary and chilis. Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes or until garlic is very soft and easy spreadable. Pour into a heatproof glass container with a lid to store the extra garlic and garlic oil.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tbsp butter in a pan over medium heat. Swirl continuously for a few minutes until the butter turns brown and develops a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn. Stir in panko for two minutes until golden. Pour into a small bowl and stir in salt, pepper, and parsley. Set aside.
- Preheat the broiler on your oven. Melt the other tbsp of butter in a wide oven-proof skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add two cloves of minced garlic and cook for two minutes, stirring often. Add orzo and toast for two minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil then turn heat to medium-low and simmer stirring often until orzo is cooked through and most of the broth is absorbed. Add additional broth if necessary.
- Once the orzo is cooked, stir in parmesan. Add about 8 cloves or more of the garlic confit. Stir until everything is well combined. Top with mozzarella and reserved brown butter breadcrumbs. Broil in the oven for about 3-5 minutes until melted and golden.
Video
@carolbeecooks February Orzo Series: Cheesy Garlic Bread Orzo 🧄 #orzotok #orzotiktok #orzo #garlic #garlicbread #garlicconfit
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