Creamy, nutty, and satisfyingly indulgent, this Orzo with Blue Cheese and Walnuts recipe is a gourmet delight thatโs perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Tender orzo pasta is enveloped in a rich, velvety blue cheese sauce, balanced with the crunch of toasted walnuts and a hint of freshness from chopped parsley. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish combines simple ingredients like milk or cream, tangy blue cheese, and earthy walnuts to create a harmonious medley of flavors. A touch of black pepper and olive oil ties everything together for an irresistibly creamy yet balanced pasta experience. Serve it as a comforting main course or a sophisticated side dishโitโs guaranteed to impress!
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir in the orzo pasta.
Cook the orzo according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the orzo is cooking, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and chop if not already chopped.
Once the orzo is cooked, drain it well and return it to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent clumping.
Add the crumbled blue cheese and 0.5 cup of milk or heavy cream to the orzo. Stir over low heat until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
Mix in the chopped toasted walnuts, reserving a small handful for garnish.
Season with 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper and adjust salt if needed (blue cheese is naturally salty).
Transfer the orzo to a serving dish and sprinkle with the reserved walnuts and chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful dish!
Calories |
2151 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 127.2 g | 163% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.7 g | 244% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 186 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 5690 mg | 247% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 173.4 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.1 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.7 g | ||
| Protein | 90.7 g | 181% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 1574 mg | 121% | |
| Iron | 11.2 mg | 62% | |
| Potassium | 1134 mg | 24% | |
*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.