Aggie's Kitchen

Orzo with Goat Cheese and Arugula

A simple side dish that is full of flavor! Creamy goat cheese and fresh arugula combined with warm orzo, your whole family will love this one.

A couple of random, unrelated to food things today. I feel like lately, my eyes are a bit more open than usual. Do you ever experience that?  It’s like something clicks in your brain and the inner dialogue quiets down a bit and you just become more observant and a better listener. I don’t know.

Something I’ve noticed, it’s kind of a mom thing but it could be a people thing too. A friend of mine and I were talking at the gym the other day (gotta love those treadmill talks) and it’s like we both realized that we didn’t have it all together like we thought the other did. Duh, right? I’ve had similar conversations with other friends at the bus stop, in the grocery store, and at birthday parties. Go figure. But don’t you think – and this is not the first time you’ve heard it I’m sure – that with all the social media saturation that we are swimming in right now, it is becoming rarer and rarer to have true heart to heart conversations with friends and people you meet along the way? You have to make a real effort. There’s so much more surface material out there than connection sometimes. Maybe it’s just me. But I’ll say, it’s nice to have real conversations like that where you realize how “normal” you really are. I am thinking most moms can relate to this, we need conversations like this. I can appreciate even more when I meet or connect with someone in the real world, not just “online”. This is where my friend Sandy always inspires me with her way of bringing people together in her home, as a form of hospitality and connecting…and not just “entertaining”. Like I already said, it does take some effort but is always worth it. Food for thought.

 

A simple side dish that is full of flavor! Creamy goat cheese and fresh arugula combined with warm orzo, your whole family will love this one.

Hope you don’t mind my ramble today. Sometimes I get tired of talking about just food. Although, this food is worth talking about. Orzo with Goat Cheese and Arugula, here’s what you need to know:

  1. so easy to make
  2. just a few ingredients
  3. my kids and husband LOVED it (side note: my kids requested it for dinner again last night, and they really have no idea what arugula even is)
  4. double the recipe if you have good eaters
  5. DELICIOUS

A simple side dish that is full of flavor! Creamy goat cheese and fresh arugula combined with warm orzo, your whole family will love this one.

Have a great week!

PS…if you like this recipe you’ll also like this Spinach Feta Orzo I made for my friend Valerie earlier this year!

Print Recipe

Orzo with Goat Cheese and Arugula

Yield: 4 side dish servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo (regular or whole wheat)
  • 2 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 - 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
  • 2 large handfuls baby arugula
  • big pinch coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

Directions:

  1. Cook orzo according to directions. Drain in a colander, then add back to the pot.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over orzo and gently toss. Add arugula and goat cheese directly to the pot and using a wooden soon, gently stir to combine. The heat from the orzo with melt cheese and wilt arugula. Season well with coarse salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

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Orzo with Goat Cheese and Arugula from aggieskitchen.com - my family loves when I make this pasta side dish!

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27 comments on “Orzo with Goat Cheese and Arugula”

  1. I used to make orzo all the time but for whatever reason it’s become lost in the rotation. I think it’s time to bring it back with this recipe. Pinning for later.

    • I was feeling the same about orzo! My kids always love it when I make it so it’s back in the rotation! 🙂 Thanks for the pin!

  2. I love following you on snapchat! (I think I saw you make this orzo? Or am I imagining that?) Either way, I’m glad I’m seeing it now. It looks phenomenal!

    • You did see me make this orzo! I think that’s what I’m having fun with, very amateur cooking videos 🙂 Thanks friend!

  3. I love love orzo- and goat cheese for that matter. Need this. Also, I need to sign up for snapchat. I have heard good things…But kind of feeling like, ugh, one more thing to do, you know? P.S. I hate public speaking too. xo

    • The goat cheese just melts right in, you would love this! I felt the same about Snapchat, but I’m having fun with it – a different place to connect with friends. Ugh…public speaking, not my friend. xoxo

  4. im so with you about public speaking..i have snapchat but hardly ever use it. i am going to try and be more active on it. 

  5. omgosh- I bet this is so creamy and delicious! I miss goat cheese!!

  6. This looks fantastic, Aggie. My family would love this recipe. Happy Monday!

  7. Ooooh yummy! I love love love goat cheese! I’m going to try this and add in some chopped grilled chicken 🙂

  8. You had me at goat cheese, and sealed the deal with arugula. Homerun Aggie! 🙂

  9. I’m all for real conversations – I think we moms especially need it to keep life in perspective. Love how easy this recipe is – so creamy too!

  10. What a perfect side when serving a big group – delicious yet filling and has its own flavor. Awesome recipe!

  11. I believe orzo doesn’t get used often enough compared to other pastas. Love your dish, it sounds terrific.

  12. I totally agree with you!! One reason I travel a lot is because it allows me face time with all the people I’m constantly snapping,tweeting, etc. You just can’t replace the in-person conversations like the ones we got to have together at Chopped! I’m so grateful for all of our time together this year. oxox 

  13. Me and public speaking don’t get along either. And I’m still on the fence with Snapchat. But this salad? I’m all in. I know my whole family would love this!

  14. This looks like the perfect weeknight meal. Love the goat cheese!

  15. A recipe after my own heart! Love it! 

  16. I love super easy recipes like this. You can’t go wrong with the combination of goat cheese, arugula and pasta!

  17. This has everything I love!! I’m so trying it. 

  18. What a tasty looking side dish that would literally take moments to toss together! Can’t wait to try this soon!!

  19. This looks wonderful! My family would devour this! 

  20. What a perfect weeknight dinner! Looks so beautiful and festive and perfect for company !

  21. This goat cheese recipe was amazing! I did punch up the flavor by sautéing shallots and garlic in the olive oil and added it into the pasta sauce. So delicious! Good with farfalle pasta as well.