Creamy Garlic Orzo Pasta
Last Updated on March 20, 2023 by Annie
Creamy and garlicky, this dairy-free creamy garlic orzo pasta takes vegan pasta to the next level. This easy to make orzo pasta recipe comes together in 30 minutes for a delicious side or main dish everyone can enjoy!
This recipe checks every box I could think of for a creamy pasta recipe.
Thick creamy sauce. Check.
Fresh garlic flavor. Check.
Under 30 minutes. Check.
No cream, cheese, or dairy in sight. Check.
The first time I tried this recipe, I knew it was going to be good. In my experience, almost anything involving a roux and fresh garlic is good. Unfortunately, it fell flat. The flavor just didn’t come through the way I dreamed it would.
Over the last couple of years, I have been figuring out what works and what just doesn’t when it comes to dairy-free substitutes. Usually, I can simply sub in coconut milk for heavy cream, especially in baking. Sadly, this substitute doesn’t always carry over into the cooking world. So when I used coconut milk in this orzo recipe it completely overpowered the garlic.
While a few companies now make dairy-free heavy cream substitutes, I like to stick to things that are easy to find or readily available. The next time I tried the recipe, I used oat milk in place of coconut. I figured it wouldn’t bring a strong flavor to the dish and it was a little creamier than almond milk. Winner. Winner. Pasta Dinner!
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY GARLIC ORZO PASTA
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Orzo pasta– The small rice shaped pasta cooks quickly and adds a risotto like feel to the dish.
- Plant-based butter– Melted to help make the roux.
- Onion– For a little aromatic flavor.
- Garlic– Adds in all the garlicky goodness you want out of a garlic pasta recipe.
- Flour– Creates the roux and helps thicken the cream sauce.
- Oat milk– Gives the sauce a creamy touch without overpowering in flavor.
- Salt + Pepper– For flavor.
- Lemon Juice– Adds a bright splash of flavor.
- Basil– For a fresh finish to the dish.
- Reserved pasta water– Helps loosen up the garlic cream sauce.
Directions for Creamy Garlic Orzo Pasta
- Cook the pasta: To begin, cook 1 cup of orzo pasta according to the package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the orzo when it’s done and set aside.
- Melt butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 Tbsp vegan butter.
- Cook onion and then garlic: Add 1/2 onion diced and cook for about 3-5 minutes until translucent. Next, add 4 diced garlic pods and stir until fragrant.
- Create roux: With a whisk, add 2 Tbsp flour into the pan until completely mixed in. Cook for about a minute.
- Add oat milk: Next, slowly whisk in the oat milk, a little at a time until completely incorporated. Add 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir and cook until thick, about 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients: Finally add 2 Tbsp lemon juice, the cooked orzo pasta, and 2 Tbsp fresh chopped basil. If the cream sauce is a little too thick, add the pasta water, about 1 Tbsp at a time.
How to Make a Vegan Cream Sauce
For this recipe, I used two different dairy-free products to make the irresistible garlic cream sauce without heavy cream, cheese, or dairy.
- Plant-based butter– In place of a traditional butter I used a plant-based alternative.
- Oat Milk– To make the cream sauce I used oat milk instead of a heavy cream to get a thick and creamy finish on the garlic cream sauce.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Making dairy-free creamy pasta at home is a little easier with some of these helpful kitchen tools.
- Two Handled Skillet (Amazon affiliate link)- Basically my go-to pan for sauces and creamy pastas.
- Silicone Whisk(Amazon affiliate link)- Helps keep your non-stick pans from getting scratched up.
- Microplane(Amazon affiliate link)- For all of your garlic grating needs.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Orzo
If you are looking to turn this pasta dish into a full course meal, here are a few main dish and side dish ideas you can add to the menu for a delicious and filling dinner.
- Oven-baked Chicken
- Fresh boiled shrimp- served on the side or tossed into the pasta dish.
- Oven baked salmon
- 45-Minute Vegan Dinner Rolls
- Spinach Pesto Rolls with Garlic Butter
Want to make a non-vegan version of this garlic cream sauce? This Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp uses the same garlic cream sauce base, but kicks it up a notch with fresh cooked shrimp.
Storing and Reheating
This vegan pasta recipe is truly at its best on the day it’s made but if you have left-overs and want to store and reheat them here are my tips.
- Storing– Keep left-over garlic orzo pasta in a refrigerator safe container for up to 5 days.
- Reheating– When you are ready to reheat, heat in a microwave-safe container for about 30 seconds then stir and add additional oat milk if the pasta is too thick. Heat again for another 30 seconds then decrease your heat time to 15-second intervals until the desired temperature is reached.
OTHER DELICIOUS PASTA DISHES
Craving more comforting pasta dishes to make next? Here are a few of my favorite dishes we make on repeat in our home.
Did you make this creamy garlic orzo pasta? I would love to hear how it went! Leave a comment below to share how it went or snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can share your life after dairy adventures!
You can also get delicious dairy-free recipes and tips by signing up for my newsletter!
Creamy Garlic Orzo Pasta
A delicious creamy garlic sauce coats perfectly cooked orzo pasta in this addictive Creamy Garlic Orzo Pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta uncooked
- 4 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- ½ Onion diced
- 4 pods Garlic diced
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1½ cups Oat Milk
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Basil chopped
- ½ cup Pasta Water optional
Instructions
-
Cook 1 cup orzo pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup pasta water before draining the pasta.
-
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 Tablespoons vegan butter. Add ½ diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add 4 diced garlic pods and stir until fragrant.
-
Next, whisk 2 Tablespoons flour into the pan to create a roux. Cook for about a minute.
-
Slowly whisk 1 ½ cups oat milk into the skillet until all oat milk is added. Cook until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, stir to combine.
-
Next stir in 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons basil, and cooked pasta. Use any reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce if needed. Serve and enjoy!
Some of the links above contain Amazon affiliate links. These are products and brands I use in my kitchen daily. They pay me a small commission for the referral at no additional cost to you.