Cheesy Garlic Bread Orzo

5 from 1 vote

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.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 20

Total Time1 35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Breadcrumbs, Cheese, Orzo, Pasta

Servings:

Author: Carolyn Stilwell

Equipment

Sauté Pan This Made In Sauté Pan is my favorite for all of my orzo recipes
Box Grater
Chef Knife

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 tablespoon Unsalted Butter divided
1/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped into small pieces
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper to taste
2 cloves Garlic minced
1 cup Orzo Pasta uncooked
2 cups Chicken Broth
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
1/2 cup Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese freshly grated

US Customary - Metric

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

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