Stir jarred garlic herb butter and these 3 ingredients over orzo pasta into a casserole dish for a comforting meal mom will ask for again

This cozy oven-baked herbed Parmesan orzo is one of those toss-it-together, walk-away kind of dinners that still feels like you put in real effort. You start with dry orzo pasta right in the casserole dish, then stir in jarred garlic herb butter and just a couple of pantry staples before it all bakes into a creamy, comforting side or light main dish. It’s the kind of simple, fuss-free recipe that fits busy weeknights but is still special enough that mom will ask for it again.

Serve this herbed Parmesan orzo warm, straight from the casserole dish, with a simple green salad or steamed broccoli on the side. It also pairs nicely with roasted or grilled chicken, pork chops, or baked fish. For a heartier meal, you can stir in some shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped ham after baking and return it to the oven for a few minutes to heat through. A squeeze of lemon over each serving brightens the flavors, and a little extra grated Parmesan on top never hurts.

Servings: 4

1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish (about 2 to 2 1/2 quarts) with a little of the garlic herb butter or nonstick spray.

Pour the dry orzo pasta into the casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.

Add the jarred garlic herb butter to the center of the dish. Using a spoon or spatula (or your clean hands if you like), stir and toss the dry orzo with the garlic herb butter right in the dish until most of the pasta is lightly coated. It’s okay if a few small clumps of butter remain.

Pour the chicken broth evenly over the buttered orzo, stirring gently to make sure all of the pasta is moistened and the broth reaches the corners of the dish.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil to keep the moisture in. Place it on the middle rack of the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the dish from the oven and peel back the foil away from you to avoid steam. Stir the orzo well, scraping the bottom and corners to loosen any bits that might be sticking.

Recover the dish with foil and return it to the oven. Bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. The mixture should look creamy but not soupy.

Remove the foil and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the hot orzo. Stir until the cheese melts and the pasta looks creamy and well combined. If it seems too thick, you can stir in a splash of hot broth or water to loosen it.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed; the garlic herb butter and Parmesan are usually salty enough, but you can add a small pinch of salt or pepper to taste.

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to thicken slightly before serving. Spoon into bowls, top with extra Parmesan if you like, and serve warm.

For picky eaters, you can reduce the amount of garlic herb butter slightly and add a small knob of plain butter to soften the flavor. If your family likes extra cheese, stir in an additional 1/4 cup of Parmesan or a handful of shredded mozzarella at the end for extra creaminess. To keep this vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and double-check that your Parmesan is a vegetarian-friendly brand. For more protein, stir in 1–2 cups of cooked shredded chicken, diced ham, or drained canned chickpeas after the orzo is tender, then return the dish to the oven for 5–10 minutes to heat through. You can also add quick-cooking vegetables like frozen peas or chopped baby spinach in the last 10 minutes of baking for a one-dish meal. If making ahead, cool the baked orzo quickly, cover, and refrigerate; reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before serving, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened. Always use clean utensils when scooping the jarred garlic herb butter to avoid contamination, and refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of baking. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days and can be reheated in the microwave or oven with a little extra liquid to bring back the creaminess.