Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Pasta is a flavorful side dish recipe that’s easy to make with basic ingredients and brimming with cheesy goodness! A delicious pasta with vegetables that will complement chicken, beef, seafood and more!
Are you always looking for new and delicious side dishes? Then you will love this cheesy pasta recipe with bits of broccoli and carrots in every bite.
The perfect accompaniment for a chicken, beef or seafood dinner, it is sure to become a family favorite.
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Quick to make on a busy weeknight, this easy orzo recipe cooks up quickly on your stovetop.
The cheddar cheese, broth and half and half make a creamy cheese sauce and the vegetables add texture and color.
No need to cook the pasta separately either. Everything cooks together in one pot. Easy on the cook and easy on the clean up! Now that’s the way a recipe on a busy weeknight needs to be!
This recipe makes six servings when served as a side dish. You can make it a main meal of four servings when topped with your favorite protein.
Trust me when I say you will be adding this recipe to your menu rotation because the whole family will love this orzo skillet recipe and request it over and over again!
If you love orzo, be sure to give Mediterranean Orzo and Blueberry Peach Orzo a try too!
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How to make broccoli cheddar orzo
Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add orzo, carrots, onion, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper and cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add broccoli and toss until coated and combined.
- Stir in the broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 7 minutes or until the orzo is just al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Add the half and half and cheddar cheese, stirring until combined.
- Simmer until a cheesy sauce forms and the orzo and vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes.
Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- Be sure the broccoli florets are chopped into small bite size pieces
- Using packaged shredded carrots is easy and will save time prepping
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving
- Add red pepper flakes when cooking the orzo in the butter for a touch of heat
- For a nutty flavor, top with toasted pine nuts
- Add minced sun-dried tomatoes
- Stir in quartered cherry tomatoes
Substitutions
- You can use sweet onion or yellow onion in place of the red onion
- For a richer sauce, substitute ½ cup heavy cream for ½ cup of the half and half
- Chicken broth can be used instead of vegetable broth
Storage
- Store any leftover broccoli orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Orzo will stay fresh for 2-3 days when refrigerated
- To reheat, microwave the pasta for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave for another 1-2 minutes until heated through
- As always, I find it helpful to visit the FDA website for food storage guidelines
FAQ
What is orzo?
Orzo is a small pasta shape similar to the size and shape of rice. This small pasta can be made from whole grain, semolina or white flour.
Is orzo pasta healthier than rice?
Orzo pasta does have more fiber than rice, however, it is higher in carbohydrates per serving than rice.
Easy orzo recipes
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this orzo side dish recipe:
- butter
- orzo pasta
- shredded carrots
- red onion
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- vegetable broth
- half and half
- fresh broccoli
- shredded cheddar cheese
Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Pasta
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Instructions
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add orzo, carrots, onion, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper and cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add broccoli and toss until coated and combined.
- Stir in the broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 7 minutes or until the orzo is just al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Add the half and half and cheddar cheese, stirring until combined.
- Simmer until a cheesy sauce forms and the orzo and vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes.
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