Creamy Like Risotto But With Pasta – Try This Game-Changing Dinner Recipe!

In this recipe, everything echoes a traditional risotto: the cooking method is similar, utilizing a pan over low heat. The technique is also familiar: you gradually add vegetable broth to the mixture and let it simmer. However, a key ingredient is conspicuously absent—rice! But not to worry, this dish still offers the creamy, comforting texture that’s perfect for the early fall chill. Even Mohamed Cheikh, the 2021 Top Chef winner, has given it his nod of approval in the comments. This rice-less risotto has it all!

“It’s very convenient because everything cooks together,” notes food influencer Lou Elsener, known online as @louloukitchen. The comments under her video are telling: “I just tried it, it’s incredible!”, “looks so good!”, “made it last night, everyone loved it”, “just made it and it’s a delight. Thanks for sharing!”. Elsener’s version features chicken, cream, tomatoes, and Parmesan, but the dish can be varied in many other delicious ways. When it comes to adding the star ingredient, she reaches for a package of uniquely shaped pasta that you might have overlooked in the supermarket next to the macaroni and spaghetti.

The pasta in question stealthily makes its way onto our plates because it resembles large rice grains. But that’s not their only similarity to this staple grain. Their firm texture also closely mimics that of rice, holding up well during long, slow cooking—ideal for a risotto-style dish. Depending on the region, this pasta might be called “risoni”, “orzo”, or “bird’s tongues”. Though “orzo” translates to “barley” in Italian, these pastas are typically made from wheat flour. They can be enjoyed in a salad, but for a cozy winter meal, try them in a risotto-style preparation. These little pastas are sure to melt your heart!

• 2 chicken fillets
• 300 g of orzo
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 small carton of cream (20 cl)
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 15 g of butter
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 onion
• 150 g of Parmesan cheese
• 200 ml of water with 1 vegetable stock cube dissolved

1. Sprinkle the chicken fillets with paprika and cook them in a pan with butter. Remove them from the pan midway through cooking.

2. Sauté the chopped onion and orzo in the pan. Add the tomato paste and cream, and pour in the broth up to the level of the orzo. Simmer over low heat for about 8 minutes, stirring until the broth has evaporated.

3. Add the spinach, Parmesan, and chicken fillets. Cook everything together for a few more minutes.

Your dish is now ready to enjoy, ideally while watching your favorite TV show. With this recipe, your winter evenings are sure to be warm and delightful.