This One Pot Broccoli Orzo recipe is both convenient and easy to make. You will love it! It is full of flavor, comforting and sure to satisfy everyone at your dinner table!
About the Recipe
This One Pot Broccoli Orzo is a flavorful and satisfying dish made by sautéing minced white onion and garlic in olive oil, then adding orzo, broccoli, and stock to simmer until tender.
Finished with a touch of lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese, it's a creamy and vibrant one pan meal perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. This cheesy broccoli orzo has an al dente bite with delicious flavor. And the best part - it's done in about 30 minutes!
I love serving this as a side with a chicken breast main dish, side salad and a glass of white wine. It's so delicious!
If you are looking for more broccoli recipes, check out our: Easy Tuscan Roasted Broccoli, Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo or Sausage and Broccoli Frittata.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Convenient - With minimal dishes to clean and a streamlined cooking process, you can enjoy a hearty, homemade meal without the usual kitchen chaos. Plus, this one-pan meal has simple ingredients that can easily be found at your grocery store.
Delicious - The combination of orzo pasta, sautéed onion and garlic, tender broccoli, and a burst of lemon juice results in a delicious medley of flavors. Each bite is full of a variety of flavors.
Versatile - This recipe is a blank canvas for creativity. You can customize it by adding other vegetables, protein, or spices to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. It’s great to have as a go-to dinner option or makes a perfect side dish too!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this delicious recipe:
- Olive oil
- Onion - Use minced white onion. You can also use yellow onion or shallot.
- Garlic - Fresh minced garlic cloves are going to be best.
- Salt & black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Orzo - Any variety of dry orzo is fine. You may also use whole wheat if you prefer.
- Vegetable stock, chicken stock, or chicken broth
- Broccoli - Fresh broccoli florets will be best.
- Lemon juice
- Parmesan cheese
Directions
Let's make this one pot recipe together!
Step 1: Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until translucent.
Step 2: Add the garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the orzo, broccoli and stock to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Stir in the lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this comfort food:
Utilize Leftovers - Pack up leftovers into airtight containers and enjoy them as lunch later in the week.
Stir the orzo - Stirring the orzo occasionally prevents it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures even cooking.
Monitor the liquid - Keep an eye on the liquid level as the orzo cooks. If it starts to dry out before the orzo is tender, you can add a bit more stock.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this one pot dish. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Large skillet - You'll want a high quality large skillet with high sides.
Braiser - Another great option is a braised. This one is similar to the one I used in the photos.
Wooden Spoons - If you need to upgrade your cooking tools, I love this set of wooden spoons. You'll use them in almost every recipe!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this one pot dinner.
Garnish - You can garnish this finished dish with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese and fresh herbs like fresh basil, thyme, rosemary or parsley.
Red pepper flakes - The amount of red pepper flakes can easily be adjusted to match your heat preference.
Parmesan - Swap out Parmesan for other cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or even goat cheese for unique flavors.
Additions - Add cooked protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or cooked sausage. Incorporate toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds for added texture and nutty flavor.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this one pot meal:
Bavette Steak - This incredible recipe for Bavette Steak is flavor-packed and simple to make. It is a great option for when you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a grilling party, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply indulging in a flavorful meal.
Halloumi Sandwich - Each bite of this simple but delicious and hearty sandwich has a blend of seared salty halloumi cheese, flavorful pesto, juicy tomato, and peppery arugula tossed in a balsamic dijon dressing all on a toasted hoagie bun. What’s not to love?
Pan Seared Shrimp - This healthy and easy pan seared shrimp recipe is delicious and ready in just 10 minutes! Use this shrimp in tacos, bowls, or salads.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you wanted to use something besides orzo, you could use another small pasta shape like ditalini, mini penne, or even rice for a different twist.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but make sure to thaw and drain it before adding it to the recipe. Keep in mind that frozen broccoli might have a slightly different texture compared to fresh.
Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like asparagus, peas, spinach, or even diced bell peppers. Just adjust the cooking time based on the vegetable's texture.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this side dish recipe.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm. You can also reheat in the microwave.
Other Recipes to Try
One Pot Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ White onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups dry orzo
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 4 cups broccoli
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and white onion and sauté for 5 minutes, until translucent.
- Add garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add orzo, broccoli, and stock to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in lemon juice and parmesan cheese and serve.
Natalia says
This recipe is AMAZING! I left out the cheese because I’m trying to be healthier, and still so much flavor!
Christina Musgrave says
Thanks, Natalia!
Stephanie says
This recipe was so easy and enjoyed by all of us! I added a large handful of shredded carrots when I added the broccoli. I served it with diced grilled chicken. It was delicious as were the leftovers!