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    Home » Dinner » Pasta

    Published May 15, 2020 (Updated Aug 20, 2024) by Heather Bilyeu

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan

    5 from 1 review
    2 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links
    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan is a one-pot wonder meal. Few ingredients with mind-blowing taste!

    I am all about easy recipes. Easy AND delicious. Especially when my/our schedules are NUTS which they are totally nuts right now. So I have currently been OBSESSED (is capitalizing 3 words in a paragraph excessive?? nahhhh) with this Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan recently. 

    ingredients for Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan on a white table

    Have you ever had Cacio e Pepe? If not you are missing out in life. It is pretty much a grown-up and fancy version of Alfredo. 

    4 Ingredients, 10 minutes and you have a pasta meal that is both sinful and heavenly all in one bite.

    Well if you have ever tried to make that recipe, although minimal ingredients and "easy", the parmesan at times can give you fits. There is this perfect balance of pasta water, heat and cheese to make sure the parm melts (which it is not really a melty cheese) perfectly into a sauce and doesn't clump.

    I have made it clump my fair share of times, and although it's still delicious, it leaves something to be desired in the looks department.

    Well let's just skip all that! How this insanely delicious couscous dish!

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan is a SUPER easy version of Cacio e Pepe with no clumps or fighting with Parmesan ever!

    1. Start by boiling your water in a saucepan and add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add in your couscous.
    stirring in butter and parm in a pot for Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan

    2. Cover and cook for about 8 minutes. You want it to be al dente and almost done. There should still be just a tiny bit of water not absorbed in the pot. That is the perfect time to turn off the stove and remove from the heat.

    3. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt while you add a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper. Not ground pepper, it needs to be freshly cracked. And be generous.

    holding a grinder jar of peppercorns

    4. Stir until the butter is melted and then add in your parmesan and stir until combined. It melts into this luscious creamy cheesy pepper couscous dish that you want to dive headfirst in!

    5. Add more salt if needed and enjoy immediately! Top with fresh parsley or chives for some added color and freshness.

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan in a green bowl on a white table

    Reader Review

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    ""I got so many compliments from this!!?"This was easy and delicious. The winter storm of Dec ‘22 has us stuck inside and we’ve gone through most of our produce. At the end I added ½ teaspoon of dried Italian Herbs and 6 quartered cherry tomatoes just before stirring in the butter and cheese. It was perfect. Thank you for a quick and easy side dish"

    - Robin

    This works perfectly as a side dish served alongside Parmesan Chicken and asparagus or pair it with a salad like Summer Blueberry Kale Salad. Or just eat alone as a meal with some salmon, shrimp, or chicken on the side. Really you can't go wrong with whichever way.

    Just promise me to stop and breathe while you eat - it is extremely easy to just inhale it all in 2.5 seconds 😉

    So say hello to your new BFF. Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan is a one pot wonder that will leave you speechless and licking the bowl for every last couscous bite!

    holding a bowl of couscous with green bowl on a white table in the background
    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan on a white plate on a white table

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Heather Bilyeu
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 4
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    Easy Israeli Couscous with Parmesan is a one-pot wonder meal. Few ingredients with mind-blowing taste!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 ½ Cup Water
    • 1 Cup Israeli Couscous
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • 1 Tablespoon Butter
    • ½ Cup Freshly grated Parmesan
    • 1 Tablespoon Parsley or Chives
    • Freshly Cracked Black Pepper


    Instructions

    1. Place the water in a medium-sized pot on the stove on high. Add a pinch of salt.
    2. Once the water is boiling, add in couscous and turn down to medium-high. Let boil for 8 minutes or until al dente and almost fully cooked.
    3. Once the couscous is almost finished cooking (there should just be a small amount of water not absorbed yet) remove from the heat and add in 1 tablespoon of butter.
    4. While the butter is melted, add in a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper and stir to combine everything.
    5. Add in freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir till combined. Taste and add more salt if needed.
    6. Serve immediately with fresh chopped parsley or chives on top.

    Notes

    • This is best enjoyed hot and fresh. 
    • Prep Time: 2 minutes
    • Cook Time: 8 minutes
    • Category: Side Dish
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 scoop
    • Calories: 230
    • Sugar: 0.1 g
    • Sodium: 174.3 mg
    • Fat: 5.9 g
    • Trans Fat:
    • Carbohydrates: 33.8 g
    • Fiber: 2.2 g
    • Protein: 9.3 g
    • Cholesterol: 14.8 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @fuelingasouthernsoul on Instagram and hashtag it #fuelingasouthernsoul

    Please rate and review below!

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    Filed Under: Italian, Pasta, Sides and Veggies, Summer, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

      Thank you so much for making this recipe and taking time out of your day to leave a star rating and comment review. I do not take it for granted and I appreciate you being here and sharing your thoughts on the recipe with me!

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    1. Robin says

      December 28, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      This was easy and delicious. The winter storm of Dec ‘22 has us stuck inside and we’ve gone through most of our produce. At the end I added 1/2 tsp of dried Italian Herbs and 6 quartered cherry tomatoes just before stirring in the butter and cheese. It was perfect. Thank you for a quick and easy side dish.

      Reply
      • Heather Bilyeu says

        January 04, 2023 at 12:29 am

        Oh yay!! So glad you enjoyed it! The additions sound delicious! Thank you for making and leaving a review too!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Heather! Grab a glass of wine, a blanket, and a cozy seat on your back porch. I am so glad you are here! Born and raised in Kentucky and with proper southern roots, my love for entertaining and hospitality runs deep within my soul. There is nothing that I love more than having people around my table and loving them through food and drink!

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