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
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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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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 get orzo in Australia? ›

Osem Pasta Orzo 500g | Woolworths.

Is orzo healthy? ›

As a part of balanced meals, orzo can be healthy. It supplies carbs and protein as energy sources. Whole-grain orzo is said to have more nutrients and fiber. Gluten-free versions are also there for those with gluten issues.

Know More ›

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 ›

What is orzo called in NZ? ›

Orzo, also known as Risoni, is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. This quick, easy pasta is an interesting addition to your stews or salads, a great side dish to your main, or let it be the star in your favourite one-pot dish recipe. Allergens: Contains gluten. May contain traces of soy.

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.

Is risotto the same as orzo? ›

Orzo is a tiny, grain-shaped pasta made from wheat flour like semolina. Traditional risotto is a rice dish made from the slow absorption of liquid to create a creamy and thick sauce that envelopes each rice grain.

Know More ›

What is another name for orzo pasta? ›

Orzo, also named risoni, is an extremely versatile pasta shape used in a multitude of recipes and cuisines. Translating to mean 'barley' in Italian due to its resemblance to the grains of unprocessed barely, it is categorized as a 'pastina' meaning 'little pasta'.

Know More ›

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.

Keep Reading ›

What ethnicity is orzo? ›

To confuse matters a little more, orzo is the Italian name for this pastina (little pasta), but it is more widely used in Greece.

Keep Reading ›

What is the Spanish name for orzo? ›

In Spain, the equivalent pasta is called piñones (also the Spanish word for pine nuts, which orzo resembles).

View Details ›

What is orzo called in Australia? ›

Tiny rice shaped pasta that's widely available nowadays, it's called risoni here in Australia but most countries in the world call it orzo.

Get More Info Here ›

What can I substitute for orzo in Australia? ›

Orzo/risoni – Little rice shaped pasta!

Substitute with cooked rice of choice (use 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice) – white, brown, basmati, jasmine – or quinoa (directions here). Other little pasta will work too.

Discover More ›

Is orzo the same as risoni in Australia? ›

Orzo and risoni are the same type of pasta. In Italy 'risoni' is the more common term, which is often used in Australia too, but the rest of the world tends to refer to it as 'orzo'.

Read On ›

What countries use orzo? ›

Originating in Italy, orzo pasta has long been a favorite ingredient to use in dishes from soups to salads to starchy sides. So popular, in fact, the rice-shaped pasta earned a following in Spain and Greece. In Spain orzo is called piñones, the Spanish translation for pine nut.

See Details ›

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

How to Make this Recipe

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