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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Cheesy Broccoli Orzo
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gluten free
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
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Mary Koehler 11.13.2022 Can I use frozen broccoli?
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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!
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- 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/
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- 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.
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- Kristin 05.09.2022
Fabulous! So glad you all loved it, Keisha. :)
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- Leona 02.19.2022
Great
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Kristin 01.28.2022
That sounds delicious, Tammy! I’m so glad you were able to make it work!!
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- Jeannie Markech 09.02.2021
This was absolutely excellent! And easy! Thank you for an outstanding recipe.
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- Kristin 09.07.2021
So glad you enjoyed, Jeannie! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
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- Jami Hoelscher 08.29.2021
My entire family loved it, not to mention it was very fast and easy to make!
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- Kristin 08.31.2021
Success! So glad to hear it, Jami. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
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- 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!)
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- Judy 07.17.2018
Quick easy and tastes great!
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[…] 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.
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- 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 […]
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- Dawn 02.29.2016
Would be great if you listed nutritional info
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- 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! […]
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- Samantha 01.07.2016
I made this a while aho, and it is seriously the best ever. Going to make it again tonight.
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- 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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