Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy side dish recipe for dinner. Serve with chicken, pork, or a big salad!

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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, addbroccoli floretsthat 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 addshredded cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese, plusa 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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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

serves 3-4

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.

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118 Comments

Mary Koehler 11.13.2022

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Reply
- Kristin 11.15.2022
  
  Sure!
  
  Reply
  
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Maggie 05.25.2022

This is so good! This has quickly become a household favorite and I’ve made it numerous times. Both of my toddlers can’t get enough. When I made it yesterday I added some leftover diced ham for the last minute on the stove and it turned out great!
5

Reply
- Kristin 05.27.2022
  
  That sounds awesome, Maggie – I’m SO glad your kids liked it! Have you seen this recipe? It sounds like what you turned yours into, except it’s made with rice! https://iowagirleats.com/cheesy-ham-and-broccoli-rice-skillet/
  
  Reply
Keisha 05.03.2022

This dish is so quick and taste amazing. My son girlfriend made them ribs and baked beans once she finished what she cooked she turned and what cooked for dinner this with baked chicken.
5

Reply
- Kristin 05.09.2022
  
  Fabulous! So glad you all loved it, Keisha. :)
  
  Reply
Leona 02.19.2022

Great

Reply
Jenny 01.29.2022

The best SIPMPY HEALTHY, high fiber, fast orzo I have ever had. Where are these recipes other than with you! Thank you so much! So easy I know now what to do with the broccoli I should be eatting. I used reduced fat cheese and a little – 2 tbs of parm – and it is wonderful. How many people can eat this whole recipe in one sitting? Thank you so much.

Reply
Tammy 01.25.2022

Very easy and good. I microwaved after combining 3mins covered to cook orzo, since was still al dente. Used a combination of sharp and mild cheddar cheese, and Konriko Jalapeño seasoning for extra flavor.
5

Reply
- Kristin 01.28.2022
  
  That sounds delicious, Tammy! I’m so glad you were able to make it work!!
  
  Reply
  
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Jeannie Markech 09.02.2021

This was absolutely excellent! And easy! Thank you for an outstanding recipe.
5

Reply
- Kristin 09.07.2021
  
  So glad you enjoyed, Jeannie! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
  
  Reply
Jami Hoelscher 08.29.2021

My entire family loved it, not to mention it was very fast and easy to make!
5

Reply
- Kristin 08.31.2021
  
  Success! So glad to hear it, Jami. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
  
  Reply
Bri 01.03.2021

Great recipe! It came out good! I used broccoli and asparagus with mine along with white sharp cheddar cheese and Parmesan. But, nutrition facts? I could not find them. When you are cooking for your spouse who has Type 1 diabetes the nutrition facts in the serving amounts, and amount per serving, etc. are very important. I notice that a lot of recipes online, even a family size recipe, say 1 serving, which is okay, we can do the math, I found nothing on this recipe! But…still okay because i can add up the carbs with each ingredient! Another BUT…please consider people who are cooking for diabetics, special diets, etc., that may really need that info! Still give it 5 stars though! Delicious! Thank you! (And if the nutritional facts were on here and i did not see…sorry!)
5

Reply
Judy 07.17.2018

Quick easy and tastes great!
5

Reply
Broccoli and Cheese Orzo | Six Sisters' Stuff 04.23.2017

[…] Recipe source: Iowa Girl Eats […]

Reply
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo – Iowa Girl Eats – Delectable Salads 03.20.2017

[…] The Recipe can be found HERE […]

Reply
Weekly meal plan – 3/12/16 – The Shelled Pea 03.12.2017

[…] Cheesy Broccoli Orzo. This is a side-dish, but wemay just have it as themain dish. […]

Reply
April 02.14.2017

I just served this with chicken apple sausage. It was so good! Definitely going in my regular rotation. My boys are 1.5 and 3.5 and love it.

Reply
Side Dish Roundup: 14 Best Orzo Recipes - The Lovebugs Blog 05.19.2016

[…] Mex Orzo Salad from Table for Two Blog Artichoke Spinach Orzo Salad from Little Broken Cheesy Broccoli Orzo from Iowa Girl Eats Creamy Curry Orzo Salad from Rock Recipes Cucumber Lemon Orzo Salad from Give Recipe Mediterranean […]

Reply
Dawn 02.29.2016

Would be great if you listed nutritional info

Reply
25 Easter Side Dishes - The Frugal Ginger 02.24.2016

[…] Cheesy Broccoli Orzo from Iowa Girl Eats looks simply amazing! I love me some cheese! […]

Reply
Samantha 01.07.2016

I made this a while aho, and it is seriously the best ever. Going to make it again tonight.

Reply
- Kristin 01.10.2016
  
  So glad to hear it, Samantha!
  
  Reply

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Dinner Made EASY

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hi, i'm kristin!

I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!

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Cheesy Broccoli Orzo - Easy Pasta Side Dish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you use orzo instead of risotto? ›

First, you'll swap rice (risotto recipes usually call for arborio or carnaroli varieties) for orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. You'll get the same luscious consistency thanks to the starch released when stirring pasta, but in a fraction of the total cook time.

Discover More Details ›

How many cups of orzo per person? ›

You can measure out orzo and should plan on about 1/4 cup (or 2 ounces) dry pasta per person. Orzo will more than double in size when cooked so don't worry, there will be enough.

Tell Me More ›

Is Risoni the same as orzo? ›

Risoni (pronounced ree-soh-nee) looks like large grains of rice but is actually a type of pasta. It's also known as risi (which is Italian for rice) or pasta a riso, and is sometimes referred to as orzo, although this tends to be slightly larger.

Learn More ›

What is orzo used for? ›

In Italy, orzo is classified as pastina or "little pasta," which is a category of very small pastas. Orzo is typically used in soups in Italian cuisine, but you can use it in any number of pasta dishes, soups, grain bowls, and other places where a petite, toothsome pasta can come in handy.

Keep Reading ›

Which is healthier orzo or arborio rice? ›

Orzo also has a higher fiber content than rice as well. Orzo does, however, have a higher carbohydrate content per serving, but not by much. Due to the higher protein and fiber content, orzo will leave you feeling fuller for longer which is helpful for those trying to lose weight.

Is orzo healthier than brown rice? ›

Orzo has a higher concentration of calories, carbs, and protein. It also contains way less fat than brown rice. However, brown rice has a nutrient-dense composition. Given all these facts, brown rice is better and healthier than orzo.

Find Out More ›

Is orzo less fattening than pasta? ›

Is orzo more healthy than pasta? Orzo is a type of pasta. So, they share similar nutritional values. But how healthy a dish is depends more on what you mix into it and how much you take.

Discover More Details ›

Is orzo pasta healthier than regular pasta? ›

Orzo is commonly made from white flour, but it can be made from whole-grain flour as well, making it a healthier pasta option. A two oz. serving of orzo is 200 calories. This small pasta is a good source of carbohydrates; one serving of orzo contains 42 grams of carbohydrates and two grams of fiber.

What is orzo called in Italy? ›

Though orzo pasta does not have a direct city in Italy as its place of origin, the ingredients prove prominent all over the country, where locals call it risoni. In fact, the word orzo means "barley," in Italian, and while the uncooked orzo looks like the grain, the two don't have much else in common.

Discover More ›

What is the Italian version of orzo? ›

Orzo is the Italian for barley, no more, no less. It usually comes without the outer hull and the germ, under the name of orzo perlato (pearl or pearled barley). It can substitute rice or pasta in minestra.

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo - Easy Pasta Side Dish Recipe (2024)

How to Make this Recipe

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