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Creamy One-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Recipe

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4.4 from 78 reviews

This Creamy One-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Orzo is a comforting, easy-to-make dish featuring tender broccoli florets and sharp cheddar cheese blended into a luscious, creamy orzo pasta. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines fresh vegetables with rich flavors in a convenient one-pot recipe that minimizes cleanup and maximizes taste.

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Pantry & Dairy

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Add Broccoli: Stir in the chopped broccoli florets and cook for another 2 minutes to slightly soften them, maintaining some crispness.
  3. Add Orzo and Broth: Pour in the uncooked orzo pasta and chicken broth, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
  4. Cook Orzo: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
  5. Add Cream and Seasonings: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to combine and heat through gently.
  6. Add Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and gradually fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
  7. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot as a comforting main or side dish.

Notes

  • You can substitute vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
  • For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • To keep broccoli crisp, steam it separately and add at the end.
  • Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Gouda or Monterey Jack.
  • Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature to meld smoothly without curdling.

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/creamy-one-pot-broccoli-cheddar-orzo-recipe/