Name: This 20-Minute Dinner Is the First Dish I Make When Fall Arrives
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 yellow onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup vodka (or sub chicken broth); 1/4 cup tomato paste; 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 1/3 cups orzo; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 4 basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish, optional; Red pepper flakes, optional

This 20-Minute Dinner Is the First Dish I Make When Fall Arrives

This orzo alla vodka recipe comes together quickly from pantry staples, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. It can be served as a versatile side dish or easy light main.

25 min total 5 min prep 20 min cook 4 450 cal

Instructions

Tap a step to mark it done

1 Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and just beginning to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
2 Stir in the vodka and tomato paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly reduced, about 3 minutes.
3 Stir in the chicken broth, orzo, salt, and pepper. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a lid. Cook, stirring once and scraping the bottom of the pot halfway through, until the orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
4 Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately with the remaining Parmesan, topping individual portions with basil and/or red pepper flakes if desired. If you don’t eat it all up in one sitting, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove, adding more chicken broth or water to make it more saucy, as the orzo will have absorbed much of the liquid. Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!