Want to know what I find difficult? Besides finding a hair length I like, painting my own toes, 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 Ben 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 but slightly boring.
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 for a three minutes. Orzo is pasta that looks like grains of rice. Use gluten free if you need it!
After three minutes, add broccoli florets that have been chopped small, 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 (may not need it) then dish up and dine. I hope you love this incredibly simple yet super tasty side dish – enjoy!
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Cheesy Broccoli Orzo
Description
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy side dish recipe for dinner. Serve with chicken, pork, or a big salad!
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free or regular orzo (dish will not be GF if using regular orzo)
- 1-1/2 cups 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, to taste
Directions
- Add orzo to a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes then add chopped broccoli and cook for 2 more minutes, or 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.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Friday’s Top Ten, 5.17.13 | Roochel's Randoms 05.17.2013
[…] and I tried Iowa Girl’s Cheesy Broccoli Orzo this week and it was delicious! It tastes just like mac n cheese but is so much easier to […]
JennO 05.05.2013
Had to cook the orzo a little longer than anticipated – but this dish is a keeper! So happy to have stumbled upon your blog – Cheers!
What I Ate Wednesday #2 | Griselda Mood 04.10.2013
[…] understand that the orzo looks a little bit like Caroline’s diaper after she eats a jar of green beans BUT it was […]
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo | Maddie's Recipes 04.06.2013
[…] Source:Â https://iowagirleats.com/2012/08/16/cheesy-broccoli-orzo/ […]
Jackie 04.02.2013
I made this for dinner tonight…..my only question was do you lower the heat when you put the Orzo in (like other pasta)? I had turned it down and it took a lot longer to cook. It was yummy!
Pinspiration – numero doce | peasquared 02.23.2013
[…] source: http://www.iowagirleats.com via tricia on […]
Tara P. 02.19.2013
This looks amazing! Just stumbled upon your site today and I am making this for dinner tonight! Thanks for sharing!
Cyndi 02.11.2013
This dish is excellent. For years I have been stuck on rice- a – roni and this is just as easy, but much better!
Emily 02.05.2013
Made this tonight and…I think it changed my life. So, so good. And doing the broccoli right in with the orzo? Genius. Thanks for a great recipe!!
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo | Our Recipes 01.16.2013
[…] Source: Iowa Girl Eats […]
Kacey 01.11.2013
Made this tonight and it was a total hit! I almost ate all of it while waiting for the rest of dinner!
Bonnie 01.09.2013
This was a big hit with my family and so easy to make. My 11 year old is a big fan of Mac and cheese (in the blue box). But I think this may be his new favorite.
Love,love love your site, I want to make everything you post! Some other family faves are your fresh apple cake, and cheeseburger quesadillas. Next up to make is your chicken fried rice.
Thanks for such great recipes and wonderful photography.
Lina Mohr 01.03.2013
This sounds amazing and am planning on making it soon (probably tonight) but was wondering if you could sub mozzerella for the cheddar? I don’t have any at home and don’t really want to run back to the store again.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.03.2013
That’s totally fine – any cheese will work, really!
KaceyCooks: Cheesy Orzo with Broccoli « KaceyCooks 12.31.2012
[…] Orzo with Broccoli Recipe adapted from: Iowa Girl Eats Serves: 3-4 Prep/Cook: 15 minutes (start to […]
T 12.22.2012
This side dish looks really good and I can’t wait to try it, but I also would like to know how did you prepare the fish or chicken that is in the picture????
Iowa Girl Eats 12.26.2012
It was chicken brushed on both sides with extra virgin olive oil then seasoned with salt & pepper and sauteed!
Orzo, orzo, orzo. How I love you | Grab a plate 12.18.2012
[…] is always on the look out for a good side dish. I saw this was like “Orzo? Cheese? Sign me up!!” I don’t have a lot of pictures because […]
AJ 12.02.2012
This recipe just rocked my world. It is being added to the rotation! So easy and delicious.
Taste Testing from Pinterest | tasty tallahassee 12.02.2012
[…] Cheesy Broccoli Orzo: Very simple. It wasn’t as flavorful as I had hoped so I loaded it up with crushed red pepper. Nom. […]
michelle 11.11.2013
I agree. It wasn’t at all flavorful like it sounded. In fact, it grossed out the whole family. Boiling the broccoli made it lose it’s flavor. Steaming and adding it with the cheese would have been better, but honestly, even that couldn’t salvage this dish.
Broccoli Cheese Orzo 11.18.2012
[…] makes 4–6 servings | source […]
Marie 11.06.2012
This recipe looks great. How does it hold up for a Thanksgiving office potluck? Is it okay to prepare this the night before and just re-heat in the microwave before serving? How do you suggest adjusting the recipe to feed 10 or so people?
Thanks for the help!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.07.2012
This is best eaten right away, unfortunately! Kind of like mac & cheese, the longer it sits, the less creamy it gets!
Marie 11.07.2012
Thanks so much for the advice! What would you recommend for an office Thanksgiving potluck?
Iowa Girl Eats 11.08.2012
Here are some of my (savory) faves!
https://iowagirleats.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6008117
https://iowagirleats.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6032000
https://iowagirleats.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6029870
https://iowagirleats.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6034676