Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
Ingredients: 2 cups (400g) orzo pasta, uncooked 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided 6-8 cloves garlic (about 3 tablespoons), minced 3½ cups (830ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (half-and-half or heavy cream work too) 1 cup (100g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus extra for garnish) 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste) ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Directions: Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt completely. Add the dry orzo to the melted butter and stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the pasta turns lightly golden and smells nutty. This toasting step adds incredible depth of flavor to your dish. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic to the toasted orzo. Stir continuously for 30-45 seconds until the g...