One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
If you’re looking for a quick, easy and really delicious side dish for dinner tonite, you need to try my One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo! Just like the name says, this dish is cheesy, and creamy and flavourful and so good. So good.
Always on the hunt for new side dishes!
Are you too? I find trying to come up with ideas for what to make for side dishes the hardest part of meal planning. And it’s nice to have a few recipes that are easy, but different from the usual potatoes, rice and veggies. A great example is a recipe like this Broccoli Cheddar Orzo which is a delicious pasta/veggie side dish. It’s easy to make and everyone always loves it. I hope you love it too.
Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Recipe Tips
- BROCCOLI: Use about 3 1/2 cups of chopped broccoli (cut into small florets). I prefer to use fresh broccoli because it keeps it shape better than frozen, frozen broccoli tends to fall apart and get a bit mushy. But you can use frozen if you wish.
- BROTH: Use chicken or vegetable broth. I always use ‘Better than Bouillon Chicken Broth’ any time a recipe requires broth, it just has so much flavour.
- CHEDDAR: Use a flavourful cheddar cheese like a sharp or old cheddar.
- MILK: Use whole milk or half + half cream.
- LEFTOVERS: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days.
- OPTIONAL: This recipe is also really delicious with cauliflower. Sometimes I’ll make it with half broccoli and half cauliflower. Just treat the cauliflower the same as you would the broccoli during prep.
Serving Suggestions:
This orzo recipe is a perfect side dish for any meal! Try it alongside roast chicken, steak, ribs,or pork roast. Or make it a meal by stirring in some cooked chicken (you could add shredded rotisserie chicken, it’s delicious!).
Love broccoli? Here are more tasty recipes.
One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 small onion
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups dried orzo
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half + half cream
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into small florets. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat melt 3 tbsp butter.3 tbsp butter
- Add the chopped onion and diced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Then add the dried orzo pasta and mix well to coat the orzo with the butter.1 small onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 1/2 cups dried orzo
- Stir continuously, and sauté until the orzo is lightly golden brown, about 3 – 4 minutes.
- Then add the chicken broth and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer for about about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir often, to prevent burning to the bottom of the pan.3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- Then stir in the cream and chopped broccoli and simmer for about 5 – 8 minutes more, until orzo is tender, the liquid is gone, and the broccoli is cooked.1 cup half + half cream, 3 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
- Once the orzo is cooked and the liquid is gone, stir in the shredded cheese until it has melted through.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Season with fresh ground pepper.1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- Serve immediately.
More Side Dish Recipes
A delicious collection of side dishes that include recipes for potatoes, vegetables, air fryer sides, simple salads, bakes, stuffing, rice, pastas and more!
Have a delicious day!
