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Home » Recipes » sides » Alfredo Risoni

April 20, 2021

Alfredo Risoni

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Alfredo Risoni | Foodtastic Mom #risonirecipes #risonipasta #lowcalorierecipes #alfredo via @foodtasticmom

Alfredo Risoni is a unique side dish that is calorie conscious. It combines orzo pasta with cauliflower rice in a creamy Alfredo sauce.

taking a bite of alfredo risoni
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Cauliflower rice is very popular. And for a while I’ve been trying to really love it, with little success. If you already love it on its own, congratulations. I personally don’t use cauliflower so much to reduce carbs as calories. A few weeks ago I decided to combine it with orzo pasta. Basically a half and half ratio. Everyone loved it! Like, you can’t even taste the cauliflower. Which is a really big plus in my book. In researching what I should call this side dish I found out that orzo – style pasta is also known as risoni. I like the name and the way it rolls off my tongue. I’m going to be playing around a lot with risoni. And I’m starting here, with this Alfredo Risoni, as an introduction.

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alfredo risoni plated up with fresh strawberries

What is Risoni?

You may have heard of orzo pasta, which looks like rice. That is what we are talking about here – rice shaped pasta. And if you can’t specifically find pasta that is labelled as “risoni” then use orzo – that is what I did for this recipe. Risi is the Italian word for rice. Risoni pasta can be served as a side dish like rice. Or turned into a risotto. Stirred into soups, used as a stuffing for tomatoes and peppers, and so on.

a dish of uncooked risoni pasta

Ingredients for making Alfredo Risoni

  • Risoni Pasta (or Orzo)
  • Cauliflower Rice
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Fat Free Half and Half
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Lemon Juice
  • Parsley
  • Salt and Pepper

showing the risoni cooking process from start to finish

Kitchen Tips

  • Serve this as a side dish for air-fried salmon, shrimp or chicken
  • This is the brand of frozen cauliflower rice I like best
  • I cook this recipe in a non-stick frying pan
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days

Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on.

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Alfredo Risoni | Foodtastic Mom #risonirecipes #risonipasta #lowcalorierecipes #alfredo

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5 from 5 votes

Alfredo Risoni

Alfredo Risoni is a unique side dish that is calorie conscious. It combines orzo pasta with cauliflower rice in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 8
Calories 205kcal
Author Jill McOwen

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dry risoni (or orzo) pasta
  • 10 oz bag of frozen cauliflower rice
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup fat free half and half
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Microwave the bag of cauliflower rice according to package directions.
  • Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a large, non-stick frying pan.
  • Add the cooked cauliflower to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Set off the heat while preparing the risoni.
  • Boil a pot of salted water and cook the risoni or orzo pasta according to the box directions.
  • Drain the pasta.
  • Return the pan with the caulflower rice to the stove top over medium heat.
  • Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter and stir together the cauliflower rice and risoni until the butter is melted.
  • Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in the lemon juice and fat free half and half. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until starting to thicken.
  • Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cook briefly, stirring often, until it's melted into the risoni.
  • Stir in the parsley off heat. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 1mg

More Risoni / Orzo Recipes

  • Alfredo Risoni
  • Creamy Chicken Risoni
  • Easy Italian Wedding Soup
  • Orzo Pasta Salad
  • Greek Foil Packet Fish
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Comments

  1. Lindsay says

    April 20, 2021 at 10:29 am

    5 stars
    I love that you are using both cauliflower and pasta here. I agree, cauliflower rice leaves something to be desired, and for my diet, some pasta is totally fine! Making this for dinner and I can’t wait.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 20, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      So excited for you to try it!

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    April 20, 2021 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    How have I never tried to make alfredo with orzo?! I need to try this ASAP! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  3. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    April 20, 2021 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Love all the flavors here, I already know I’m going to enjoy this recipe a lot!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks Shadi!

      Reply
  4. Dannii says

    April 20, 2021 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious side dish! A great way to eat some extra cauliflower too.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      Yes, definitely.

      Reply
  5. Toni says

    April 20, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    This is seriously amazing!! I love that you can make it in just a few minutes! So easy!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 21, 2021 at 10:16 am

      Thanks so much Toni!

      Reply

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My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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