This Cheesy Orzo with Broccoli is such a yummy side dish. Think Mac n Cheese but kicked up a notch. Your family will love it. It goes great with chicken and pork chops and even steak! I love the comfort of this pasta dish and I bet you will too!
[recipe title=”Cheesy Orzo with Broccoli” servings=”4-5″ difficulty=”easy” image=”https://learneditfrommymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cheesy-orzo-and-broccoli-4web.jpg”]
[recipe-ingredients]
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese,shredded (1 heaping cup)
1 Tablespoons butter
1/2 pound broccoli crowns (about 1 medium), cut into florets
1 Tablespoon yellow onion, finely diced
2 large cloves garlic, minced or grated
2 tablespoons olive oil,divided
1 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoons dry ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional)
1/2 pound dried orzo pasta
1 (14.5 oz can) low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
[/recipe-ingredients]
[recipe-directions]
Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and sauce until tender. About 1 minutes add florets and sauté until starting to turn vibrant green, about 3 minutes. Add seasonings and stir to combine. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add extra oil if needed. Add dried orzo pasta and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add broth and water and stir to combine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer. Continue to cook, stirring every minute or so and scraping the bottom of the pot (If liquid cooks off to fast add a tablespoon of water at a time to keep it moist). Simmer until the orzo is a minute shy of al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed (but still glossy), 6 to 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Add milk, stir to combine, and simmer until the orzo is al dente but still saucy, about 1 minute more. Remove the pot from the heat. Add 1 Tablespoons unsalted butter and the cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese are melted and the orzo is glossy and saucy. Let sit for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken before serving.
[/recipe-directions]
[/recipe]
