One of the standout recipes from my favorite Giada Italy cookbook is this Orzo with Clams dish, made with fresh clams, tender orzo, aromatic fennel, savory shallots, and vibrant piquillo peppers. This hearty Orzo with Clams is a great option for a quick dinner, taking around 25 minutes to prepare, and it serves 4 people easily.

You’ll find even more mouth-watering dishes in her cookbook, like Giada’s Cacio E Pepe with Pancetta and Arugula or the delicious Giada Ziti Stufati—both recipes you’ll definitely want to try.

Recipe Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and chopped
• 1 shallot, chopped
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
• 5 jarred piquillo peppers, diced
• ½ teaspoon of Calabrian chile paste
• 1 cup of orzo
• 1 pound of Manila clams or small littlenecks, scrubbed and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons of fennel fronds, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest

How To Make Giada De Laurentiis Orzo With Clams

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add the olive oil. After letting the oil heat for about 30 seconds, toss in the chopped fennel, shallot, and kosher salt. Stir constantly until the fennel softens, which will take around 4 minutes.
2. Once the fennel softens, add the diced piquillo peppers and Calabrian chile paste to the skillet. Stir everything together, cooking for about 1 more minute to let the flavors meld nicely.
3. Pour in the orzo, stirring it around to coat the pasta with the flavorful oil and spices. Add 2¼ cups of water and mix well. Let the mixture come to a simmer, and cook for about 6 minutes, or until the orzo is just shy of fully cooked.
4. Now, add the clams to the pan and cover it with a lid. Let the clams cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan gently every now and then to help the clams open up. Make sure to discard any clams that don’t open.
5. Finally, stir the clams into the orzo. Sprinkle the dish with the fennel fronds and grated orange zest before serving. Serve immediately while it’s hot and fresh.

Recipe Tips

• Add extra depth with white wine: A splash of dry white wine during the simmer adds more complexity to the dish, and it helps balance the sweetness of the peppers.
• Use vegetable stock for richer flavor: Instead of water, try using vegetable stock for a more intense flavor in the orzo, especially if you want a more robust dish.
• Keep the clams fresh longer: Store the clams in a bowl with a damp cloth over them in the fridge; this will keep them fresh for up to two days before cooking.
• Make it dairy-free: This recipe doesn’t call for dairy, but you can finish the dish with a bit of olive oil instead of butter if you want to enhance its richness without using dairy.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Giada Recipes:

• Giada Mezzi Rigatoni
• Giada Sartu Di Riso
• Giada Pan-seared Branzino With Tomato and Capers