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If I can be real honest for a minute here, all I really want to talk about is how obsessed I am with Friday Night Lights. Like, emotionally attached to the show and to the point where I can’t peel myself away from the couch and tv. It’s bad. This is why I shouldn’t ever get “into” tv shows because I get so obsessive about them. I know you’re probably sick of me talking about a show that’s been over for two years, but I just can’t get over how good this show is. Rachel and I (yes, not only are we workout buddies, we are also FNL buddies, haha) are on season two and I’m already about to cry thinking that it ends after the fifth season.
Do any of you watch Friday Night Lights? Or have watched it? I’d love to talk to y’all about it cause I just can’t contain myself, lol – please, no spoilers!
It’s getting to that time of year where it’s impossible to get out of bed in the mornings. It’s the, “just one more minute” routine and you just curl back under the warm sheets and fall back asleep again, missing alarm after alarm. It’s also that time of year where you’re teeter-tottering between the heat and the air. Some days, it’ll be blazing hot and humid and you’ll need to switch to the air, and then other days, it’s frigid and you need to switch over to the heat. We haven’t turned on our heat yet but it’s getting to the point where I’m so cold at night that I think we might need to turn it on soon. Part of the reason why we hold out on turning on the heat is because I think a part of us doesn’t really want to believe warm weather is over and cooler weather is here.
Cooler weather doesn’t have to suck though – it just means comforting and hearty dishes that warm you up! This cheesy pumpkin orzo does just that! It’s got a thick, cheesy, and creamy base, and best of all – it’s got pumpkin and sage! It’s comfort in a bowl and you’re going to want more than one bowl – I promise!
Cheesy Pumpkin Orzo
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (710 ml) vegetable stock
- ½ cup (118 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (118 ml) water
- ¾ cup (184 g) pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 16 ounce (454 g) orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more if you like more heat
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium high heat then whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly so it doesn’t burn.4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter, 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Pour in the vegetable stock, milk, water, and pumpkin puree. Whisk to incorporate everything and turn heat down to medium and let mixture thicken up, about 7-10 minutes.3 cups (710 ml) vegetable stock, 1/2 cup (118 ml) whole milk, 1/2 cup (118 ml) water, 3/4 cup (184 g) pumpkin puree
- Add the orzo to the pot and stir to incorporate. Cover pot and let orzo cook for 12 minutes, or however long the instructions on the box says.16 ounce (454 g) orzo pasta
- Once the orzo is done, stir in the parmesan cheese, sage, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir altogether with a wooden spoon to combine and then cut the heat.1 1/2 cups (150 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh sage, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, Salt and pepper
- Serve warm with additional parmesan cheese on top.
Looks amazing, Julie!
Oh man this creamy pumpkin orzo is going to need to be made soon.
Awesome looking fall pasta dish!
This looks so creamy & cheesy & incredible! I could eat vats of this I’m sure!
Needing a big bowl of this right now!!
Ooooh this looks so thick and creamy, love it! I don’t use orzo often enough!
This looks like some kind of great comfort food, Julie!!! Yum!!!
Cheesy and pumpkin – looks like this is going on our dinner table this week! Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing!! Season 2 of FNL was definitely my least favorite (too much ridiculous drama)- but hang in there if you feel like you don’t want to watch anymore. It just gets better and better. I saved the series finale on my DVR for at least a year and was so sad when we had to give our cable box back when we moved. Also, our dog’s name is Riggins (though my husband tells people its for John Riggins from the Redskins- but I know the truth). TEXAS FOREVER! :-)
There definitely is a lot of drama in the 2nd season (I’m almost done with it). I heard that 2nd & 3rd seasons aren’t that great but 4th & 5th are awesome. So far, my favorite is the 1st season and Riggins – oh man, I think he makes the show incredibly easy to watch even when the storyline isn’t that great ;) Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose! xo
This looks incredible! So creamy and comforting!