Description
This creamy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo is a comforting one-pan dish featuring tender orzo pasta cooked with fresh broccoli florets in a rich blend of chicken broth and heavy cream, finished with sharp cheddar cheese for a luscious, cheesy flavor that's perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
Dairy & Fats
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pantry
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Chop the broccoli florets into small pieces, dice the onion, and mince the garlic cloves carefully to set up for cooking.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter. Once the skillet is hot and the butter has melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its flavor.
- Toast orzo: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the skillet. Stir and cook together with the onion and garlic for about 1 minute, allowing the orzo to lightly toast for enhanced flavor.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and room temperature heavy cream. Add salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a light boil over medium heat.
- Simmer orzo: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the orzo simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook broccoli with orzo: Add the chopped broccoli to the skillet and stir to combine. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the broccoli is cooked through but still vibrant.
- Incorporate cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. The residual heat will melt the cheese smoothly into the dish, creating a creamy and cheesy finish.
- Serve: Serve the Broccoli Cheddar Orzo hot as a delicious and hearty main or side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or smoked paprika.
- If preferred, replace heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature before adding to avoid curdling.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for better melting and taste compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
