Rice Pilav with Orzo

Elevate your side dish game with this irresistible Rice Pilav with Orzo, a Middle Eastern-inspired classic that's rich in flavor and simplicity. This recipe combines tender long-grain white rice with golden, nutty orzo pasta, sautéed to perfection in buttery olive oil for a toasty depth of flavor. Simmered in savory chicken or vegetable broth, the dish achieves a fluffy, perfectly seasoned texture that is both comforting and satisfying. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this versatile pilav is ideal for pairing with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a standalone dish. With only 5 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes to cook, this easy one-pot recipe is your go-to for a quick weeknight meal or impressive dinner party side.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 0.5 cup orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted.

Step 3

Add the orzo pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, ensuring the grains are well coated in the butter and oil mixture.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, add salt and black pepper, and stir to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice and orzo are tender.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice.

Step 8

Fluff the pilav with a fork, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	833.2 grams (833.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	981

Total Fat 41.40g	53%
Saturated Fat 16.60g	83%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 2911mg	127%
Total Carbohydrate 134.40g	49%
Dietary Fiber 6.60g	24%
Total Sugars 3.00g
Protein 21.40g	43%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 84mg	6%
Iron 7mg	38%
Potassium 234mg	5%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.4%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 54.0%