Little orzo pasta is cooked in broth until tender and then married with a creamy cheesy sauce with tiny bits of broccoli for a healthy and super fast side dish.
This cheesy broccoli orzo recipe would be our 3rd orzo recipe on this site. I have more, seriously. One that has sundried tomatoes in it, but I wanted to get this specific recipe on the site because it is one of the easiest side dishes to make.
The other 2 orzo recipes call from parmesan cheese and this one uses cheddar. I love the combination of cheddar and broccoli. And apparently all you do as well because our Cheddar and Broccoli Soup recipe has SHOT up to #3 on our site!
So why not combine those flavors and use them in a side dish with orzo I say?
Just like our other recipes, to make this 15 minute side dish you cook the orzo in a large skillet in chicken broth on one burner and while that is simmering away, you make the sauce next to it in another saucepan.
But wait … what about the broccoli you ask? That’s simple.
When the orzo has about 5 minutes left to cook, simply lift the lid, give it a good stir and add the broccoli. It will cook with the orzo. Then pour the cheesy sauce all over it, stir again and your Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo is ready to serve.
Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Orzo Pasta
- 2 1/2 Cups Organic Chicken Broth
- 2 Cups Organic Broccoli, chopped
- 4 Tablespoons Organic Butter
- 1/3 Cup Organic Onion, diced small
- 1 Clove Organic Garlic, minced
- 3/4 Cup Organic Half and Half
- 3/4 Cup Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
TO MAKE THE ORZO & BROCCOLI:
- Begin by heating about 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet, let it warm up for about a minute. Add the orzo and lightly stir it around the pan so it toasts, this will give the orzo a nutty flavor.
- When the orzo starts to turn golden in color, add the broth starting with just 1/2 cup. Let the orzo absorb the liquid entirely, then add the rest. Give it a stir, bring to a quick boil and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, give the orzo a quick stir and add the broccoli. Cover again and finish cooking.
TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
- Add the butter to a large saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s melted add the chopped onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Let that simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it softens.
- Add the half and half and cheddar cheese. Season again with salt and pepper.
- Take the cheese sauce off the heat and add the parmesan cheese. Keep warm until the orzo has finished cooking.
- Add the creamy sauce to the cooked orzo and stir.
- Serve warm.
Speak Your Mind