Greek Orzo Pasta

Name: Greek Orzo Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked; 1 lb fresh broccoli; 3 tablespoons pine nuts; 1/4 olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes; 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled; 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can ripe olives, drained and chopped; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Submitted by DailyInspiration

"A healthy delicious Greek dish which utilizes orzo pasta along with all the trimmings. Recipe appears in my America's Best Cookbook and was contributed by the Charlie Daniel's Angels Cookbook."

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photo by teresas

Ready In:: 45mins
Ingredients:: 9
Serves:: 8

ingredients

1 ¹⁄₂ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
1 lb fresh broccoli
3 tablespoons pine nuts
¹⁄₄ olive oil
¹⁄₂ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
³⁄₄ cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can ripe olives, drained and chopped
¹⁄₂ cup parmesan cheese
¹⁄₄ cup fresh basil, chopped

directions

Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. Set aside.
Remove and discard broccoli leaves and tough ends of stalks. Wash broccoli thoroughly and coarsely chop. Cook broccoli in a small amount of boiling water 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well.
Cook pine nuts in olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until browned, stirring often. Add red pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Combine orzo, broccoli, pine nuts, feta cheese and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently. Serve immediately.

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Reviews

Very very yummy. I loved the toasted pine nuts. I omitted olives because I hate them, used greek basil because I could. Otherwise made as stated. Made for ZWT 9 for the Tasty Testers

Satyne
Made as written, mmm, this is Excellent, Nancy! I was horrified to find as I started prep, that I had no feta cheese! Not knowing what to sub, I simply made it without ........ I will make this again with feta, but I've got to say, it's really really good even without it! super healthy too! very glad I tried this recipe, made for PRMR tag game, thank you Nancy!

Karen Elizabeth
I omitted the olives because I don't care for them...I really enjoyed the flavors of this dish...but the hubby thought it was bland...I thought the feta really added to the over all taste...but I bet if I liked olives the tartness would have complemented the dish...made for "For Your Consideration" tag game...

teresas
This is easy to make, and I thought it would really wow me. I think part of the fault is mine. I think it would pair well with grilled chicken or fish, but my son wanted "bang bang" chicken, which is fried....just didn't go together! I'll try this again with some shrimp or fish....think I'd really enjoy the flavors more that way. I wasn't sure of the amount of oil....and wasn't sure if I was supposed to stir that into the orzo or drain the pine nuts and red pepper flakes. I drained, and think maybe I should have added it to the mix.....?

breezermom
This is really a wonderful combination of flavors. I love how nothing overshadows anything else. You do need to add an amount for the olive oil. I'm guessing you meant 1/4 tsp (I used more). I did steam the broccoli, and used the stems too after peeling away the tough outer skin.

karen