This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Leek Orzo 💛 Inspired by the leek episode in Emily in Paris 😂.
If you loved this recipe, check out my Pumpkin Orzo!
Why You’ll Love Leek Orzo Recipe
This Leek Orzo is SO creamy, earthy, cheesy and ridiculously delicious. The fried leeks completely take this over the top! They add a crunchy element into the dish and …. chef’s kiss🤌🏻 Orzo in general is such a cozy and comforting meal for me.
How To Prepare Leek Orzo Recipe
🥬 First, slice your leeks in half. Then separate the white part from the light green. Then, thinly slice the white part and slice the green part into thin matchsticks. Save the super dark green part for stock.
🧄 Secondly, preheat a pan for 2 minutes on medium high. Drizzle some olive oil. Then, add the white sliced leeks into a preheated pan, grate in the garlic and sauté 4-5 minutes on medium.
🍋 Add in the orzo and a touch more olive oil. Then, sauté for 3 minutes, add in lemon zest, salt and pepper.
🍷 Deglaze with white wine and start cooking the orzo risottata style, one cup of broth at a time until al dente (about 10 minutes).
🧀 Add in Parmigiano, mascarpone and butter. Then, turn heat off and mix well.
🥘 Add the green part of the leeks to a saucepan with some olive oil. Then, turn heat on to high, fry for 1 minute and then lower to medium low. Fry until crispy, about 4 minutes.
🌿 Lastly, serve the orzo with mascarpone, the leeks, more Parmigiano, chives, crushed red peppers, drizzle of olive oil and black pepper.
Substitutions and Variations
- I topped with chives, but you can easily use your favorite herbs instead or whichever ones you have on hand.
- You can use ricotta instead of mascarpone. In a pinch, you could use cream cheese.
- You can leave the crushed red peppers out if you don’t want a spicy touch in the orzo.
- You can use shallots, or green onions if you can’t find leeks.
Chef Nadia’s Tip
Save the dark green leaves of the leek for stock.
Similar Recipes
Common Questions
You can use ricotta, or in a pinch cream cheese.
For this recipe, I used Orzo by Barilla.
You can use shallots, or green onions!
Leek Orzo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Orzo
- 3.5 cups Chicken broth, boiling
- 2 Large leeks, you can use 3 leeks as well, well washed
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 Garlic clove
- 1/3 cup White wine
- 1 Lemon, zest
- 1/3 cup Parmigiano reggiano , and more for topping
- 3 tbsp Mascarpone, and more for topping
- Chives , to taste
- Black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Crushed red peppers, to taste, optional
Instructions
- First, slice your leeks in half. Then separate the white part from the light green. Then, thinly slice the white part and slice the green part into thin matchsticks. Save the super dark green part for stock.
- Secondly, preheat a pan for 2 minutes on medium high. Drizzle some olive oil. Then, add the white sliced leeks into a preheated pan, grate in the garlic and sauté 4-5 minutes on medium.
- Add in the orzo and a touch more olive oil. Then, sauté for 3 minutes, add in lemon zest, salt and pepper.
- Deglaze with white wine and start cooking the orzo risottata style, one cup of broth at a time until al dente (about 10 minutes).
- Add in Parmigiano, mascarpone and butter. Then, turn heat off and mix well.
- Add the green part of the leeks to a saucepan with some olive oil. Then, turn heat on to high, fry for 1 minute and then lower to medium low. Fry until crispy, about 4 minutes.
- Lastly, serve the orzo with mascarpone, the leeks, more Parmigiano, chives, crushed red peppers, drizzle of olive oil and black pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
