Name: Peppery Pumpkin Orzo Ultimate Comfort Dish for Cozy Nights
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 225 grams of orzo; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, finely diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 240 grams pumpkin puree; 360 milliliters vegetable broth; 120 milliliters heavy cream or coconut cream; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon thyme, fresh or dried; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 50 grams grated Parmesan or Pecorino; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; 1 cup greens (spinach or arugula), optional; 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice, optional

Description

Peppery Pumpkin Orzo delivers cozy comfort with creamy spice sauce roasted squash parmesan and herbs for easy weeknight meals Rich hearty fast

Ingredients

Scale

225 grams of orzo

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

240 grams pumpkin puree

360 milliliters vegetable broth

120 milliliters heavy cream or coconut cream

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon thyme, fresh or dried

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

50 grams grated Parmesan or Pecorino

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

1 cup greens (spinach or arugula), optional

1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice, optional

Instructions

Cook the orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a splash of the starchy cooking water.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes.

Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Stir in the pumpkin puree, broth, cream, thyme, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, then cook slowly for 4–6 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

Fold the drained orzo into the sauce. If the mixture seems thick, loosen with a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a creamy texture that clings to the pasta.

Stir in the Parmesan, and season with salt and fresh black pepper to taste. If using greens, fold them in and cook just until wilted. Finish with lemon juice if you like a bright counterpoint to the pumpkin.

Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top and a drizzle of olive oil for shine. The sauce should be silky and the orzo tender, with a balanced peppery-sweet-savory flavor.

Notes

Creamy pumpkin orzo with a peppery kick, a cozy fall lunch or dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 servings
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Fat: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 12 g

Keywords: pumpkin, orzo, creamy pasta, fall recipe, autumn pasta, peppery, parmesan, vegetarian, weeknight dinner, cozy lunch