Fresh lemons make me so happy! They’re bright, cheerful, and lift me out of the winter rut. Add that citrusy sunshine to a creamy pasta, and you get this dreamy Creamy Lemon Orzo! Simple, rich, and bursting with feel-good flavor.
Why This Orzo Understood the Assignment!
One PanSimplicity: I know you need minimal cleanup meals, and this dish is made in one pan and done in under 30 minutes. I’ve got you!
Cozy, Creamy, Family Favorite: With rich heavy cream and fresh lemon, this dish feels fancy but is still totally family-friendly! Everyone always asks for seconds.
Light Pasta Dish: Even though this dish is pasta, the lemon makes it light and bright, and not so heavy.
Creamy Lemon Orzo Ingredients
Parmesan: I used freshly shredded Parmesan for bold flavor. Pre-shredded works, but fresh makes all the difference in this simple dish.
Fresh Vs. Dry Basil: You can use 2 teaspoons of dried basil in place of fresh, but fresh brings way more flavor.
Heavy Cream Substitution: I recommend full-fat heavy cream for the creamiest texture. Half and half works, but it won’t be quite as rich.
How to Make Creamy Lemon Orzo
You know I’m all about making your weeknights easier! This creamy lemon orzo is one of those gems that comes together fast, with simple ingredients and the best flavor in every bite.
Cook Shallots: Heat the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat, then add in the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes.
Toast Orzo: Add the orzo to the pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, to lightly toast the orzo. Add the garlic and lemon zest to the pan and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Cook, Stirring Frequently: Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the pasta for 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently to keep the pasta from sticking to the pan. Once the pasta is tender and the liquid has cooked down, sprinkle the dish with parmesan cheese and basil and then serve warm.
How to Store Leftovers
In the Fridge: Store creamy lemon orzo leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
In the Freezer: Store completely cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to Serve With Lemon Orzo
This creamy lemon orzo pairs beautifully with just about anything—chicken, steak, pork, baked cod, even shrimp! Make these items below for an amazing meal. Your family will think you went all out (but we’ll know the truth).
Heat the 2 tablespoons salted butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add in the 2 minced shallots and cook, stirring frequently for 3 minutes.
Add the 1 ½ cups orzo to the pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, to lightly toast the orzo.
Add the 3 minced cloves garlic and 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the pan and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Whisk in the 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the pasta for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to keep the pasta from sticking to the pan.
Once the pasta is tender and the liquid has cooked down, sprinkle the dish with ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil and serve.
My homemade BBQ seasoning brings bold, smoky flavor to just about anything! It’s the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and just a little kick, ready to shake onto chicken, veggies, ribs, and more.
Why You’ll Want to Keep This on Hand
Big flavor, few ingredients: Just a few pantry spices turn into a tasty blend that you can use all BBQ season long!
Totally customizable: Dial up the heat or sweetness to make it your own.
Use it on EVERYTHING: Perfect for grilling, roasting, or seasoning snacks like popcorn and roasted nuts!
BBQ Seasoning Ingredients
Paprika: Use smoked paprika for a more smoky flavor.
Sugar: Brown sugar adds a sweet balance, but feel free to cut it back if you want more spice than sweet in your bbq rub.
Spice level: This blend’s got a little kick—skip or reduce the cayenne pepper if you’re not into the heat.
How to Make BBQ Seasoning
Get ready to level up your grilling game! This easy BBQ seasoning mix comes together in minutes and brings rich, smoky depth with a touch of sweetness to everything you add it to!
Add Spices: In a small bowl, add paprika, brown sugar, kosher salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Mix: Whisk all of the ingredients together until evenly mixed, then store in an airtight container.
How to Store Homemade Seasoning
This is great to have in the spice cabinet to add great flavor to so many different recipes.
Storing: Store your homemade seasoning in a spice jar or an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
How long does BBQ Seasoning Last? If you make sure it is in an airtight container, it will keep at room temperature for 1 year.
How Do I Use BBQ Seasoning?
This spice blend is great for meat rubs, seasoning vegetables, steak, pork, shrimp, and more. Here are a few more options for you to try!
In a small bowl, add 3 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Whisk all of the ingredients together until evenly mixed. Store in an airtight container.
If dinner planned itself, life would be easy. Until then—this week’s meal plan has your back with simple, tasty meals (and yes, leftovers count as winning!).
This Weeks Dinners are DELICIOUS
Dinner decisions dragging you down? I’ve got just the fix! This week’s meal plan is full of no-fuss, family-approved recipes that’ll save your evenings (and maybe your sanity). Let’s get cooking!
Easy and Amazing Blackened Salmon is a foolproof way to cook restaurant-worthy salmon at home! The salmon is tender and flakey and packed with flavor that is going to wow your taste buds!
Fork-tender, melt-in-your-mouth pot roast with delicate potatoes and sweet carrots in a perfectly seasoned broth. This recipe is super simple but will make you feel like you've spent all day cooking.
This free weekly meal plan is just what you need to get your week started. It provides five meals that will feed 4-6 (depending on if you are feeding adults or kids), AND it includes a shopping list! With fresh new ideas and easy-to-make recipes, having a weekly menu plan will be a lifesaver.
Why Even Bother With Meal Planning?
Less Last-Minute Scrambling: No more 5 p.m. panic—just a calm, confident “I’ve got this.”
Fewer Decisions: Take the guesswork out of dinnertime and save your mental energy for everything else.
Smarter Shopping: You’ll buy what you actually need and waste less food (and money).
More Enjoyable Meals: With a plan in place, dinner feels less rushed and more like quality time.
Healthier Choices: Planning ahead makes it easier to work in balanced, nutritious meals.
I only meal plan Monday-Friday because we sometimes have plans over the weekend or I have leftovers that we can have to finish off the week! If you do have leftovers, make sure to store them properly in an airtight container in your fridge.
These red velvet crinkle cookies bring all the charm of classic red velvet cake in a festive, crackly cookie . With a soft center, crisp edges, and a snowy sugar coating, they’re as delicious as they are eye-catching. What Makes These Santa’s Favorites Sweet Snowy Magic: Rolling these in granulated sugar before the powdered sugar gives you the snowiest crinkle cookies ever! Cake Meets Cookie: All the rich cocoa flavor of red velvet cake , but in a soft cookie with chewy edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center. Holiday Showstoppers: Their bold red color and crackly tops make them the star of any cookie tray. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Ingredients Red Food Coloring: Gel or paste food coloring gives the brightest, most vibrant red without adding too much liquid. Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened, high-quality cocoa for rich chocolate flavor. How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies If you love classic chocolate crinkle cookies or festive gi...
