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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5/5 (7 REVIEWS)

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
  
  See Also
  Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes for fuss-free savoury bakes
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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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 orzo be substituted for rice? ›

Orzo and rice are not exact substitutions. Their differing textures ensure that your final dish will have a different quality if you substitute one for the other. You'll also find that the cooking times and temperatures for each vary widely. Orzo has a creamier and softer texture than rice.

Know More ›

Can you get orzo in Australia? ›

Osem Pasta Orzo 500G | Woolworths.

Is orzo a pasta or rice? ›

Though orzo is shaped like rice, it is actually a pasta. Further confusing the two, sometimes orzo makes its way into rice-centric dishes such as rice pilaf and casseroles. But, even when it is gluten-free, orzo remains part of the pasta family.

Tell Me More ›

How much 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.

Get More Info Here ›

What is healthier, orzo or 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.

Tell Me More ›

Is orzo healthier then pasta? ›

Since orzo is a whole grain pasta, it offers a few health benefits. However, these health benefits make it better than other regular pasta. However, to make an orzo meal nutritious, combine it with healthy and nutritious foods like vegetables, chicken, etc.

Show Me More ›

Is orzo good or bad for you? ›

Orzo is a good source of thiamin and niacin, also providing some B6, folate, iron and zinc. White rice delivers more zinc than the others, but has much smaller amounts of other nutrients.

Explore More ›

What is orzo called in Italy? ›

Orzo is a familiar shape that goes by many names – risoni (or “big rice” in Italian) and puntalette (“tiny tips”) are just two of its other aliases.

Learn More Now ›

What is orzo called in English? ›

Orzo (/ˈɔːrzoʊ, ˈɔːrtsoʊ/; lit. 'barley'; Italian: [ˈɔrdzo]; from Latin hordeum), also known as risoni ( Italian: [riˈzoːni]; "large [grains of] rice"), is a form of short-cut pasta shaped like a large grain of rice.

Get More Info Here ›

How do Italians eat orzo? ›

Orzo can be used in a variety of cooking, and in Italy it serves as a staple all year round since it is most commonly be found in cold salads or comforting soups. For example, it is often used when making 'wedding soup', an Italian delicacy traditionally made using green vegetables, beef and pork meatballs.

Get More Info Here ›

Is orzo fattening? ›

You can increase the amount of protein in your diet by eating more of this small pasta and pairing it with other sources of protein such as salmon, shrimp or chicken. Orzo is also a good low-fat pasta option with only one gram of fat per serving. Eating more pasta, including orzo, is a good way to keep you full longer.

Show Me More ›

Do you rinse orzo before cooking? ›

Test Kitchen Tip. Rinse the orzo only if it will be baked or served cool in a salad. Otherwise, do not rinse; rinsing removes a light coating of starch that helps sauces and seasonings cling to the pasta.

Tell Me More ›

How many cups of orzo do I need for 2 people? ›

Here I used 150g (~ 3/4 cup) of orzo, and it made enough to feed two people (though I'd add a bit extra if you're particularly hungry!). Bring the water to a gentle boil, and cook for around 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked to your liking. Drain the orzo in a colander, and add your choice of sauce.

How much is 1 cup of orzo? ›

1 cup raw orzo (about 6 oz) will give you about 2 cups cooked. If you want a slightly creamier result, orzo can be cooked as you would rice. Boil 1/2 cups water for each cup orzo.

Learn More ›

How much water do I need for 2 cups of orzo? ›

Generally it is 1 cup of uncooked orzo to 2 cups of water or broth. There is typically liquid left over after cooking that needs to be drained before using.

Know More ›

Is orzo high in carbs? ›

Orzo has high carbs, so it's not good for a strict low-carb diet. But you can still have it occasionally if you're not too strict with carb intake.

Is Italian rice and orzo the same? ›

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.

What can you substitute orzo for? ›

Risi

Orzo / Possible substitutes

How much rice instead of orzo? ›

You could use pasta instead or orzo. A long-grain rice is the best option and the rice is likely to only need 10 minutes of cooking time as if you overcook rice it will become mushy. If you use rice we would suggest using 250g (1¼ cups) as rice absorbs more liquid than pasta.

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

How to Make this Recipe

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