• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Happily Unprocessed

  • Recipe Index
  • FOOD VIDEOS
  • WHAT IS PROCESSED FOOD?
    • THE BASICS
      • WHAT DO LABELS ON FRUIT MEAN?
      • HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
      • FLOUR FACTS
      • Food Label Definitions
      • REFINED OILS AND WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT THEM
      • GMOs – WHAT ARE THEY?
      • WHY IT MATTERS
      • FOOD ADDITIVES
      • FOODS WITH NO HFCS
      • WHAT FOODS ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED?
      • ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
      • FOOD DYES & THE CONSEQUENCES
      • HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
      • TRANS FATS
      • MSG – What you Need to Know
      • MSG?
      • CARAGEENAN?
        • Strawberry “flavoring”
      • THE DIRTY DOZEN
        • 5 PROCESSED FOODS TO AVOID – NOW!
  • About
    • DISCLAIMER, DISCLOSURE & PRIVACY POLICY
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

Happily Unprocessed / Recipes / Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

Written by Debi4 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Little orzo pasta is cooked in broth until al dente and then married with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce with tiny bits of broccoli for a healthy and super fast side dish.

creamy cheddar broccoli orzo 1 720x970 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo 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 super easy, fast and will quickly become one of your favorite side dishes.

Our Creamy Garlic Orzo uses parmesan cheese and it’s seriously off the hook good.  But this time I wanted to try using a bolder cheese like 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?

My sister has mentioned to me that one of her biggest challenges are side dishes.  She has an idea of the main entrée but then falls short on what to put with it.   It get it.  Especially when you have a family that doesn’t agree on anything.

There is something magical about rice and about orzo.  It seems to please most palates due to it’s simplicity and mellow flavors.  This is a side dish that really goes with just about anything.  Chicken, fish, steak.  I think it works really well.

creamy cheddar broccoli orzo2 720x812 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

What makes this side dish even better is it only takes 15 minutes.  That’s faster than the boxed rices which can take up to 25 minutes and you can SMELL the MSG as it’s cooking.

You start by lightly browning the orzo in a large skillet in some oil.  This gives it a nice nutty flavor.  Add some chicken broth and while that is simmering away,  you make the sauce next to it in another saucepan.

But wait … what about the broccoli you ask?  Don’t I need to cook that separately too?  Nope! 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 3 720x929 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares icon
creamy cheddar broccoli orzo 1 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Debi
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Scale

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. After 5 minutes, give the orzo a quick stir and add the broccoli.  Cover again and finish cooking.

TO MAKE THE SAUCE:

  1. 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.
  2. Add the half and half and cheddar cheese. Season again with salt and pepper.
  3. Take the cheese sauce off the heat and add the parmesan cheese.  Keep warm until the orzo has finished cooking.
  4. Add the creamy sauce to the cooked orzo and stir.
  5. Serve warm.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS:
BEST GRILLED CHICKEN
WEEKNIGHT MARINATED FLANK STEAK

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

 

 

 

LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?

Subscribe to our Newsletter at the bottom of this page to get family friendly, healthy recipes delivered right to your inbox.  You can also find us sharing more recipes on Pinterest! 

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER?
PIN IT!

Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Orzo PIN 1.jpg 1 341x1024 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

print button - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo

Other Posts you may like

  • creamy garlic orzologo 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli OrzoCreamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
  • 016pic1 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli OrzoBroccoli, Tomato and Cheddar Quiche
  • garlic parmesan noodles featured photo 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli OrzoParmesan Garlic Noodles
  • broccoli cheese souppic 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli OrzoBroccoli & Cheddar Cheese Soup (Keto Friendly)
  • Ham tetrazzini 1.jpg 150x150 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli OrzoHam Tetrazzini (no canned soups)

Filed Under: SEASONAL - FALL & WINTER RECIPES, SEASONAL - SUMMER RECIPES, SIDES

Previous Post: « Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey and Cauliflower Rice
Next Post: Strawberry & Chocolate Yogurt Parfait »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela

    7 December, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    Super yummy, super easy to make during the work week! Makes a generous amount!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Gloria

    9 September, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    Yummo!!!

    Reply
  3. Agnes

    23 August, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    This is one of the best orzo recipes I have ever tried!!

    Reply
    • Debi

      24 August, 2019 at 9:44 am

      well that is quite the compliment, thank you 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Welcome to our newly updated website! Never did we imagine what we started in 2012 would explode into what it has become today! Thank you to all of you !!! Read More…

FIND YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE!

Follow Us!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Our Most Popular Posts

  • close up of cheey gooey tray of hot baked ziti How to Make ...
  • GARLIC PARMESAN NOODLES - One pot side dish with buttery garlic noodles and angel hair pasta #sidedish #pasta #weeknight #easyrecipe #happilyunprocessed Parmesan Garlic Noodles
  • Butter and garlic cream sauce - a 5 minute sauce that goes perfect over anything #buttergarlic #creamsauce #happilyunprocessed Butter & Garlic ...
  • Best Grilled chicken marinade feature 275x300 - Creamy Cheddar & Broccoli Orzo Best Grilled Chicken ...
  • Spinach gruyere cheese quiche with hashbrown crust Spinach and Gruyere ...

Footer

FOLLOW US !!!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

© HappilyUnprocessed. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. | Privacy Policy