Creamy Cacio e Pepe Orzo

"Cacio e pepe" is Italian for "cheese and pepper." So, you know what you're getting plenty of here. Creamy buttermilk provides a zing, and if you've never had a cacio e pepe-style dish before, this orzo rendition is a great introduction. (Warning: It may remind you of macaroni and cheese!)

Creamy Cacio e Pepe Orzo
Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ cup chopped onion

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat orzo (1 1/4 cups)

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

  • ¼ cup buttermilk

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Finely chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add orzo and stir to coat. Stir in broth, buttermilk, pepper and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and creamy, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan. Sprinkle with parsley before serving, if desired.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, February 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

306 Calories
10g Fat
44g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 scant cup
Calories 306
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 10g 20%
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Vitamin A 58IU 1%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Vitamin D 1IU 0%
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 5mcg 1%
Vitamin K 1mcg 1%
Sodium 301mg 13%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Magnesium 6mg 1%
Potassium 71mg 2%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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