Creamy Cottage Cheese Orzo

Coming up with a satisfying lunch that’s both filling and quick to make can feel like an impossible task some days. Between back-to-back meetings and endless to-do lists, it’s tempting to just grab whatever’s easiest – even if it means another sad desk sandwich or expensive takeout order.

That’s where this creamy cottage cheese orzo comes in handy: it’s comforting and nourishing, takes less than 20 minutes to throw together, and uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s just as good warm or cold, making it perfect for meal prep or last-minute lunches.

What Kind of Cottage Cheese Should I Use?

For this creamy orzo dish, whole milk cottage cheese is your best bet since it creates the creamiest, most luxurious texture.

Small or medium curd cottage cheese works really well here because it melts more evenly into the pasta than large curd varieties.

If you’re shopping at the grocery store, look for cottage cheese that’s fresh and has a clean, mild smell – avoid any containers that seem watery or have separated too much.

While low-fat cottage cheese could work in a pinch, it won’t give you quite the same rich, velvety sauce that makes this dish special.

Just remember to give your cottage cheese a good stir before measuring, as it tends to settle in the container.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy pasta dish is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Cottage cheese: If cottage cheese isn’t your thing, you can use ricotta cheese instead. Just make sure to drain it well first. You could also try Greek yogurt, though the texture will be slightly different and tangier.
• Parmesan cheese: While fresh parmesan gives the best flavor, you can substitute with pecorino romano or aged asiago. Try to avoid pre-grated cheese as it doesn’t melt as smoothly.
• Orzo: Orzo is key for the right texture, but in a pinch, you can use small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells. The cooking time might need adjusting by a few minutes.
• Broth: Any broth works here – vegetable, chicken, or even water with bouillon cubes. If using water alone, you’ll want to add extra seasonings to make up for the lost flavor.
• Eggs: The eggs are pretty important for the creamy texture, but if you need to skip them, try adding an extra 1/4 cup of cottage cheese and a splash of heavy cream to maintain richness.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making creamy orzo is ending up with a gluey, stuck-together mess – to prevent this, make sure to stir the orzo frequently while it cooks in the broth, as this pasta shape tends to settle and stick to the bottom of the pan.

A common error is draining the orzo completely before adding the cheese mixture; instead, reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid to help create that silky, creamy texture we’re after.

Another crucial tip is to temper your egg mixture by slowly whisking in a little of the hot pasta liquid before combining it with the orzo – this prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures a smooth, creamy sauce.

For the best texture, serve this dish right away while it’s hot and creamy, as it tends to thicken significantly as it cools (though you can always loosen it up with a splash of warm broth when reheating).

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This creamy cottage cheese orzo stays good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Since it contains dairy and eggs, make sure to get it in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. The pasta might absorb more of the sauce as it sits, but it’s still really good!

Make Ahead: You can prep this dish a day ahead if needed. Just keep in mind that the orzo will continue to soak up the sauce, so you might want to add a splash of warm broth or milk when reheating to bring back that creamy consistency.

Warm Up: To bring your orzo back to life, warm it up in a pan over medium-low heat with a little extra broth or milk, stirring occasionally. You can also use the microwave – just heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it’s heated through. Add a sprinkle of fresh parmesan on top and it’ll taste almost like new!

 

Creamy Cottage Cheese Orzo FAQ

Why does this recipe use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese?

Cottage cheese is actually perfect for this creamy pasta dish because it melts down beautifully and creates a lighter, protein-rich sauce. When blended with the parmesan and eggs, cottage cheese becomes silky smooth while adding a nice tangy flavor that you wouldn’t get from cream cheese. Plus, it adds extra protein to make this dish more filling.

Do I need to drain the cottage cheese before using it?

No, you don’t need to drain the cottage cheese for this recipe. The little bit of liquid in the cottage cheese actually helps create the perfect sauce consistency when combined with the other ingredients. Just make sure you’re using whole milk cottage cheese for the best creamy results.

Why do we cook the orzo in broth instead of water?

Cooking the orzo in broth adds an extra layer of flavor that really makes this dish special. The pasta absorbs all those savory flavors as it cooks, making every bite more flavorful than if you just used water. I find that vegetable broth works great, but chicken broth adds a nice richness too.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	22-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
• 1 cup finely grated parmesan
• 2 large eggs
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound orzo pasta
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

In a mini food processor or blender, combine 1 cup of full-fat cottage cheese, 1 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs, and a heavy pinch each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Purée the mixture until it becomes very smooth.

Set aside for later use.

Step 2: Cook the Orzo

In a medium pot, combine 1 pound of dried orzo with 4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock.

Place the pot over medium-high heat.

Cook the orzo, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta reaches an al dente texture, which should take about 12-15 minutes.

Step 3: Combine and Finish the Dish

Once the orzo is cooked, remove the pot from heat.

Stir in the cottage cheese mixture thoroughly until well combined with the orzo.

Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, cheesy orzo!