Cheesy Broccoli Orzo is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy side dish that compliments any dinner. Serve with chicken, pork, steak, or salad!
Want to know what I find difficult? Besides finding a hair length I like and sleeping on airplanes?
Finding a good side dish recipe.
I’m the kind of person who can sit down with a big bowl of soup or piece of lasagna and be just fine, but my husband likes himself some options at dinnertime. Most nights though, after a long day of work (ie functioning brain cells are at their daily minimum,) all I can think of is tossing together a side salad. Easy
The recipe for Cheesy Broccoli Orzo though? Easy and totally UN-boring!
This creamy, cheesy, broccoli-studded pasta side dish cooks up in one pan in minutes. Serve with chicken, pork, or a huge salad. Honestly it doesn’t really matter – Cheesy Broccoli Orzo will steal the show.
How to Make this Recipe
Start by boiling a cup of orzo according to package directions. Orzo is pasta that looks like grains of rice. I like Delallo Gluten Free!
When the orzo has a couple of minutes left, add broccoli florets that have been finely chopped, then continue to cook until the pasta is al dente.
Drain the mixture very well — broccoli florets are notorious for holding onto water — then return the broccoli and orzo to the pot.
Here’s where the magic happens. To the pot add shredded cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese, plus a pat of butter.
Now, I am NOT the cheese nor butter police, so if you want to add more cheese or butter? GO FOR IT!
Drizzle in milk, any kind, then stir until smooth and creamy.
Season with salt to taste then dish up and devour. I hope you love this incredibly simple yet super tasty side dish – enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1-1/2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup 2% milk
- salt
Directions
- Add orzo to a large pot of salted boiling water then cook according to package directions. When the orzo has 2 minutes left to cook, add the chopped broccoli then cook until orzo is tender. Drain well (broccoli florets are notorious for holding onto water) then return to the pot.
- Add cheeses, butter, and 1/4 cup milk then stir well and add more milk if needed. Season with salt to taste.
Notes
- Feel free to add more shredded cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, and/or butter to your liking. You may need a touch more milk to get the pasta smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
This is amazing! I love how simple and quick this is. It’s also more cost efficient and healthy than those pre-made packages you can get at the grocery store. My husband isn’t a big fan of broccoli like I am, and he loves it! Thank you for sharing this recipe :+)
I just found your blog… through Pinterest of course. I think you are the Iowa version of me. Yay for being awesome :) Keep up the great work over here :)
This turned out EXACTLY like the picture and was so amazingly yummy. I used a bit more orzo and wish I had added more broccoli to compensate, but I’m so happy this turned out correctly. So often my pinterest recipes don’t come out just right, and this did. Thank you! A must try for anyone, so much better, easier, and cheaper than any rice/pasta mix from a box.
I saw this on Pinterest and made it for dinner last night. My husband and daughter loved this! We’ll be making this on a regular bases from now on. Thanks for the recipe.
Can you use frozen broccoli and if so how long do you cook it for
I think you can, I’d probably just prepare it according to package directions, then add it in!
Thank you
I just put the broccoli still frozen right in and let it cook 2 or 3 minutes and it came out great.
I found this on Pinterest and made it last night. My husband and I both loved it! Thank you for sharing!
Made this tonight…..slightly unusual texture for me but I got over it and its good….extras for my boys lunch for school tomorrow …needs salt n pepper
We had this tonight with grill pork chops and everyone loved it! Thanks for the recipe, we’ll be enjoying this again!
I find all of those things so difficult too! (minus the Atomic Fireballs :)) Go Team Wedge!!
Holy cheesy goodness….I would NEVER get tired of this. Just made a pot for dinner. I hope there’s some left when everyone’s home for dinner!
Some side staples in our household:
Roasted broccoli
Cauliflower (roasted or just plain and seasoned with chili powder and garlic salt — so good!)
Grilled asparagus
Grilled squash/zuchinni/eggplant
Grilled/roasted/baked sweet potatoes
Grilled peppers! I’m obsessed with these right now… I bought a bag of mini red/yellow/orange peppers, wrapped them in foil and threw them on the grill … so good!
I use my steamer pot when I do pasta broccoli combos, then you don’t have to worry about the broccoli holding onto water. :) This looks awesome!
I just made this and it was FANTASTIC! Thanks so much Kristin for another great recipe!