Creamy One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
A comforting one-pot meal with tender orzo, vibrant broccoli, and creamy cheddar cheese, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
- Stir in the orzo and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly toasted.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the broccoli florets and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
If you don’t have orzo, substitute with another small pasta and adjust cooking times. Add proteins like chicken or shrimp during the last few minutes for extra heartiness. For a vegan option, swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg