Baked Asiago & Lemon Orzo

February 13, 2013

It is 8:30 PM on Tuesday night. I sat down with my computer to write this post at 7:30 PM. Why am I first starting to write now you ask?

Oh, it is a little time-waster app that is called I Made Face. I just spent an hour on an app that is all about making cartoonlike versions of yourself and people you know. I made myself, Mike, and then my entire family.

I thought I did a pretty good job so, I sent these caricatures to my brothers. One brother didn’t even respond. The other brother asked, “Where are you getting these from?” I told him I was making them.

He asked, “Why?”

Hmmm…. Like the indignant child that I am, I responded, “Because I can!”

With today being the start of Lent, for those of you that uphold this, I couldn’t help but think about what I should give up for 40 days. A really good idea came to my mind when I realized I just wasted an hour of my life on my phone, most likely to be followed by another hour on my computer on social media. I think I am going to limit myself to one hour a day in total on all forms of phone media and social media on my computer. Yes, this sounds like a plan!

Otherwise, my only other thought was to give up carbs or cheese. But what fun would this blog be if I went cold turkey on those items for 40 days?

I mean this recipe alone proves:  me + cheese + pasta = a happy partnership.

Baked Asiago & Lemon Orzo

Course Pasta/Entree/Side
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Author Sarcastic Cooking

Ingredients

  • For the Pasta:
  • 1 Pound Orzo Pasta
  • ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter plus more for greasing
  • ½ Cup Diced Yellow Onion
  • 1 Clove Garlic grated
  • ¼ Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 1 ½ Cup Shredded Asiago Cheese plus more for topping
  • Zest of 1 Lemon
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Chopped Dill
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Pepper
  • Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • For the Topping:
  • 1 Cup Cubed Stale Bread
  • 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo, cook according to packaging.
  3. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, sauté for two minutes until translucent. Add garlic, stir to combine. Sauté an additional minute.
  4. Add the flour to the saucepan. Whisk to combine flour and butter. Cook for one to two minutes.
  5. Slowly pour in the milk, while stirring/whisking. Stir/whisk until the sauce and roux are totally combined.
  6. At this time the pasta should be ready to be drained. Drain pasta and set off to the side.
  7. Add the cheese to the sauce, stir, and cook until completely melted. Turn off the heat and stir in all the seasonings, zest, dill, and lemon juice.
  8. Grease a large 9x11 inch baking dish with butter. Add pasta to the baking dish, pour sauce over the pasta, and stir to evenly coat all the orzo with sauce.
  9. In a food processor, pulse the stale bread until a medium/fine crumb is formed. It doesn’t have to be uniform.
  10. In a small skillet, heat butter over medium/high heat until it melts. The butter will crackle and foam and then start to slowly turn brown. Once the butter starts to turn brown, add in the breadcrumbs and stir. Cook for another minute or two and then remove from heat.
  11. Pour the brown butter breadcrumbs over the cheesy orzo along with a little bit more shredded asiago and parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake in the oven uncovered for 20 minutes. Let sit for three to five minutes before serving.
  13. Store pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in microwave or oven.

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  • Jackie
    September 1, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Hi Stefanie

    Do I use the same amout of rosemary or basil for the dill.

    • Stefanie
      September 1, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Yep!

  • Jackie
    August 31, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    Hi Stefanie

    I do not like DILL or cilantro, is there another herb I could use in place of it.

    • Stefanie
      August 31, 2013 at 9:49 pm

      Rosemary or basil would be great in this dish!

  • Anita at Hungry Couple
    February 16, 2013 at 10:54 am

    I didn’t even need to read the exact recipe to know that I really, really want to eat this! Really. Like, now.

  • Kari@Loaves n Dishes
    February 14, 2013 at 7:51 am

    I’m so glad that you didn’t break up this partnership! I’m absolutely in love with the lemon and dill in this pasta!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    February 14, 2013 at 12:56 am

    Whoa. One hour a day would be really tough. I don’t even want to calculate how much time I spend on Pinterest/Words with Friends/Facebook. I gave up liquor and beer. Not wine. I think your sacrifice is way more difficult!

    This orzo has some of my most favorite flavors in it. I want some!

    • Stefanie
      February 14, 2013 at 9:02 am

      Ooooo! Last year Mike gave up beer. That was a hard one at first, but he made it through. I think the wine helps hehehe!

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    February 13, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    Damnit, Stef, this looks INCREDIBLE.

    Also, yet another reason why I am glad I am of the non-lent protestant variety. 😉

  • Shannon Schwab
    February 13, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    I think this dish looks absolutely delish! What could be better….cheese, lemon and pasta! I may have to make this on a friday with some fish! yummy! Thanks 🙂

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    February 13, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Seriously, this looks fantastic. I am a big orzo fan but have never tried a baked version. And asiago cheese? Yes please!
    PS. I’m quite certain I could not last more than a day or two without carbs or cheese. Or social media.

  • Chels R.
    February 13, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    That looks really good!

  • Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats
    February 13, 2013 at 9:01 am

    YUM! What a great dish! (I thought that was bacon on top at first!)

    • Stefanie
      February 13, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      You could always add in a bit of crumbled bacon for good measure!

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    February 13, 2013 at 8:35 am

    I stink at giving stuff up, I like to try to do stuff instead. Although I am gonna try to give up swearing, with Michael. That app sounds like so much fun, btw.

    This orzo looks really reeeeally good. I looove asiago!

    • Stefanie
      February 13, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      Oh man, swearing. Good luck with that.