Name: Cheesy Broccoli Orzo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
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

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy side dish that compliments any dinner. Serve with chicken, pork, steak, or salad!

bowl of cheesy broccoli orzo

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

cheesy broccoli orzo on a plate topped with sauteed chicken

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.

overhead photo of a bowl of orzo

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!

bowl of cheesy broccoli orzo

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

5 from 8 votes

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings: 4

GF V EF

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Cheesy Broccoli Orzo is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy side dish that compliments any dinner. Serve with chicken, pork, steak, or salad!

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

Calories: 223kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 133mg, Potassium: 223mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 408IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 114mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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photo collage of cheesy broccoli orzo