Creamy Broccoli & Cheese Orzo

21 INGREDIENTS • 9 STEPS • 30MINS

Creamy Broccoli & Cheese Orzo

This Creamy Broccoli & Cheese Orzo is classic broccoli and cheese elevated. Tiny orzo pasta is cooked in broth until al dente and then married with a creamy parmesan cheese sauce with bits of broccoli in each bite. This one-pot weeknight meal oozes comfort and can be served as a main dish or side. The best part might be the crunchy topping of golden toasted and seasoned breadcrumbs.
Love This Recipe?
This Creamy Broccoli & Cheese Orzo is classic broccoli and cheese elevated. Tiny orzo pasta is cooked in broth until al dente and then married with a creamy parmesan cheese sauce with bits of broccoli in each bite. This one-pot weeknight meal oozes comfort and can be served as a main dish or side. The best part might be the crunchy topping of golden toasted and seasoned breadcrumbs.
author_avatar
Meiko and the Dish
Hi,I'm Meiko. Expect to find classic comfort foods like fried chicken and midwestern cobblers that’ll rival your grandmas.
https://meikoandthedish.com/

30MINS

Total Time

Ingredients

Servings
6
us / metric
Toasted Breadcrumbs
Unsalted Butter
1 Tbsp
Unsalted Butter
Panko Breadcrumbs
1 cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 tsp
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp
Garlic Powder
Kosher Salt
1/8 tsp
Kosher Salt
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
4 Tbsp
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Creamy Broccoli & Cheese Orzo
Olive Oil
1 Tbsp
Olive Oil
Shallot
3
Shallots, chopped
Garlic
4 cloves
Garlic, minced
Orzo Pasta
2 cups
Orzo Pasta
Unsalted Butter
2 Tbsp
Unsalted Butter
Kosher Salt
1 tsp
Kosher Salt
Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp
Ground Black Pepper
Italian Seasoning
1 tsp
Italian Seasoning
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Vegetable Stock
4 cups
Vegetable Stock
Lemon
1
Lemon, juiced
2 Tbsp juice per 6 servings
Heavy Cream
1/2 cup
Heavy Cream
Broccoli Florets
2 cups
Chopped Broccoli Florets
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 cup
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Nutrition Per Serving

VIEW ALL
Calories
481
Fat
23.7 g
Protein
18.3 g
Carbs
50.0 g
Love This Recipe?
author_avatar
Meiko and the Dish
Hi,I'm Meiko. Expect to find classic comfort foods like fried chicken and midwestern cobblers that’ll rival your grandmas.
https://meikoandthedish.com/

Cooking Instructions

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step 1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add Unsalted Butter (1 Tbsp). Once melted, add Panko Breadcrumbs (1 cup), Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 tsp), Italian Seasoning (1/2 tsp), Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp), and Kosher Salt (1/8 tsp) and stir for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
step 1 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add Unsalted Butter (1 Tbsp). Once melted, add Panko Breadcrumbs (1 cup), Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 tsp), Italian Seasoning (1/2 tsp), Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp), and Kosher Salt (1/8 tsp) and stir for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
step 2
Remove from the heat and stir in Shredded Parmesan Cheese (4 Tbsp). Transfer toasted breadcrumbs to another vessel and set aside.
step 2 Remove from the heat and stir in Shredded Parmesan Cheese (4 Tbsp). Transfer toasted breadcrumbs to another vessel and set aside.
step 3
Return the large skillet to medium-high heat and add the Olive Oil (1 Tbsp) to the skillet. When hot, add Shallots (3) and Garlic (4 cloves) and sauté for 2 minutes.
step 3 Return the large skillet to medium-high heat and add the Olive Oil (1 Tbsp) to the skillet. When hot, add Shallots (3) and Garlic (4 cloves) and sauté for 2 minutes.
step 4
Add the Orzo Pasta (2 cups) stirring consistently, and toast for 3 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
step 4 Add the Orzo Pasta (2 cups) stirring consistently, and toast for 3 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
step 5
Stir Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp), Kosher Salt (1 tsp), Ground Black Pepper (1/2 tsp), Italian Seasoning (1 tsp), Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (1 tsp), Vegetable Stock (4 cups), and the juice from Lemon (1). Increase heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil.
step 5 Stir Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp), Kosher Salt (1 tsp), Ground Black Pepper (1/2 tsp), Italian Seasoning (1 tsp), Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (1 tsp), Vegetable Stock (4 cups), and the juice from Lemon (1). Increase heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil.
step 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Heavy Cream (1/2 cup), then cover the skillet. Let the orzo simmer for 3 minutes.
step 6 Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Heavy Cream (1/2 cup), then cover the skillet. Let the orzo simmer for 3 minutes.
step 7
Remove the lid and stir in the Broccoli Florets (2 cups) then cover and simmer again for 3 minutes.
step 7 Remove the lid and stir in the Broccoli Florets (2 cups) then cover and simmer again for 3 minutes.
step 8
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Shredded Parmesan Cheese (1 cup) until it melts.
step 8 Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Shredded Parmesan Cheese (1 cup) until it melts.
step 9
Sprinkle toasted crumbs over the top and serve warm.
step 9 Sprinkle toasted crumbs over the top and serve warm.

Tags

American
Comfort Food
Lunch
Shellfish-Free
Dinner
Vegetarian
Quick & Easy
Pasta
Vegetables
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