During my first couple university years, Lipton’s Side Kicks made a regular appearance on my dinner table.
From Asian noodles to cheesy linguine, I felt like I was making a gourmet meal when all I was really doing was opening up a bag and boiling a pot of water. But they were delicious, fast, and cheap, what more could a first year university student living away from home for the first time want?
Now I still indulge my early twenties self now and then with a package of gourmet noodles, but this cheesy orzo with peas tastes even better, has only 6 ingredients, and is just as easy.
And you can pronounce all the ingredients – orzo, peas, butter, cheese, and milk. Got it? That’s all it takes to make this grown up take on the classic mac and cheese.
This dish is great on it’s own, great as a side, and great straight from the pot too. My only mistake was not making a double batch.
Dara
Orzo with Cheese and Peas
Serves | 2 as a main, 4 as a side |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Main Dish, Side Dish |
Website | Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats |
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cheddar (grated)
- 2 Tbsp parmesan (grated)
- 1/4-1/2 cup skim milk
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Note
This cheesy orzo is great as a vegetarian main or a side for chicken or salmon.
Directions
1. | Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a small handful of salt. Add orzo and cook according to package directions. Add frozen peas during the last minute of cooking. Drain, and place back in pot, off the heat. |
2. | Add butter, cheese, and milk and mix until cheese and butter has melted and pasta comes together nicely. You may need to add some more milk, a little at a time, until it comes together (I needed 1/2 cup). Season to taste with salt and pepper. |
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