This one pot cheesy broccoli orzo is an easy kid-friendly recipe that comes together quickly and easily! Made with simple ingredients, this broccoli cheddar orzo is a riff off mac and cheese and makes for the perfect versatile side dish or easy meatless dinner.

A pink dutch oven with cheesy broccoli orzo. A wooden spoon inside.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Made in one pot, this cheesy orzo with broccoli comes together so easily! Cleaning up is a breeze and you can whip it up in no time.
You can easily customize this broccoli orzo. Switch up the cheese, add a protein (like shredded chicken!), or add extra veggies.
This is almost like a slightly elevated version of mac and cheese so it's relatively kid-friendly. If they're on the pickier side, you can swap out the orzo for elbow macaroni so it looks more like standard mac and cheese!

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients needed to make cheesy broccoli orzo.

butter — I use unsalted butter, but you can also use salted butter.
onion — I use one small yellow onion, but you can always add more!
garlic — I use a tablespoon of minced garlic, but again, you can always add more!
salt — a pinch of kosher salt.
orzo — orzo is a rice-shaped pasta made from semolina flour. If you prefer, you could substitute for a different kind of small pasta, but you may need to adjust the liquid accordingly.
vegetable broth — I use vegetable broth, but you can also use chicken broth! I usually use low-sodium broth.
broccoli — I cut three broccoli crowns into bite-sized florets. It makes for approximately 4 cups.
cream — I use cream, but you can also use half and half!
cheese — I use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.

How To Make Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

Set of two photos showing onions sauteed in a pot and orzo and broth added.

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced onions. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the minced garlic. Saute for another minute.
Add the orzo and broth and bring it up to a boil.

Set of two photos showing orzo simmering and broccoli added.

Simmer the mixture for 13 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Add the broccoli and stir for 2 minutes. Add the heavy cream and stir for another minute.

Set of two photos showing cheeses added to the pot and stirred to combine.

Add the parmesan and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese has melted into the orzo and broccoli.
Serve immediately as is or garnished with basil and more cheese.

A bowl of cheesy broccoli orzo with a pink spoon inside.

Recipes Variations

Swap the broccoli for cauliflower.
Swap the cheese for another, such as mozzarella.
Add another vegetable, such as shredded carrots or frozen peas.
Add a protein such as my shredded chicken.

A spoonful of cheesy broccoli orzo lifted from a bowl.

Tips and Notes

Did you know that pre-shredded cheese has a coating on them so they don't clump in the bag? This means they don't melt as nicely. I recommend shredding your own cheese for the best results. I simply run a block of cheddar through a food processor.
Make sure you stir throughout, as the orzo can stick to the bottom of the pan.
I try to cut the broccoli crowns into small bite-sized florets so they’re more kid-friendly. You can also use frozen broccoli if you don’t mind larger broccoli.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or in the microwave!

Recipe

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo Recipe

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: servings

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
1 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound orzo, (16 oz, 454 g)
4½ cup vegetable broth
3 small broccoli crowns, cut into florets
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced onions. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the minced garlic. Saute for another minute.
Add the orzo and give it a quick stir then add the broth and bring the mixture up to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 13 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Add the broccoli and stir for 2 minutes. Add the heavy cream and stir for another minute.
Add the parmesan and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese has melted into the orzo and broccoli.
Serve immediately as is or garnished with basil and more cheese.

Video

Nutrition

Course: One Pot

Cuisine: American

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