• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Parenting
  • Natural Living
  • Travel
  • Fitness
  • Book
    • Anti-Inflammatory Drinks for Health
    • I Love My Instant Pot Anti-Inflammatory Recipes
  • Resource Library
    • Get a Password

Happy Healthy Mama

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Home » Uncategorized » Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake

Last updated on January 12, 2023. Originally posted on January 11, 2021 By Maryea / 1 Comment

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake

79 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

In less than an hour, you can sink your teeth into a plate of this incredible Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake. It’s the perfect one-pot meal that is comforting and pleasing to anyone who tastes it. It can be the star of any meal or a side dish to compliment your other dishes. Either way, you don’t want to miss this one!

If you have been out looking for new and healthy recipes, you have stumbled onto something amazing! This is one of the best orzo recipes I have ever tasted, and I am thrilled to be sharing it with you.

Never made orzo before? No worries! Trust me, it’s super easy, even if you are just learning your way around the kitchen. When that first fork full hits your tongue, you are bound to have a new favorite dish.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

  1. Avocado Oil – You will see that I use avocado oil frequently. It’s a great way to get some added vitamin E, and it’s so user-friendly.
  2. Spices and Seasonings – I like to use salt, pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, and a bay leaf to really amp up the flavors. You are always welcome to adjust those or add in more if you want.
  3. Onion – Half of a yellow onion is ideal for giving you flavor and great texture. Plus, yellow onions have vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium too.
  4. Butter – The key is using salted butter. If you don’t use salted butter, you may need to add a little extra kosher salt.
  5. Dry Orzo Pasta – Not every store carries it, but when possible, I like to use whole wheat orzo the best. But that is entirely up to you.
  6. Vegetable Broth – Using vegetable broth is so important, and it’s a key ingredient. It is going to give the orzo the perfect texture and flavor every time.
  7. Dry White Wine – Any variety of dry white wine will work well.
  8. Broccoli Florets – There is a good reason why they tell you to eat up that broccoli! It’s jam-packed with nutrients such as iron, vitamin K, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
  9. Lemon Zest – Adding some lemon zest gives the orzo bake a gentle zest that is tantalizing to your taste buds! YUM!
  10. Milk – Use any milk that you like for this recipe. They will all work, but keep in mind the higher the fat content, the creamier the results will be.
  11. Sharp Cheddar Cheese – In addition to giving you some much-needed calcium, cheddar cheese is the perfect ingredient to make it even more incredible.

HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR ORZO BAKE

1. Get the oven preheated to 425 degrees F.

2. Use an oven-safe pan and add the avocado oil to it. Heat over medium heat, and after the oil has begun to shimmer, add in the onions. Sprinkle in salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until it’s fragrant.

3. Next, you’ll need to add in the butter, orzo, broccoli florets, and thyme. Cook until it’s golden and the broccoli and orzo are toasted about 5 minutes.

4. Pour in the dry white wine, vegetable broth, bay leaf, garlic powder, and some additional salt and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the orzo is al dente.

NOTE: Stir often, so the orzo doesn’t burn to the bottom of the pan.

5. After the orzo has cooked, add in the milk, 1/2 cup of cheese, and the lemon zest. Add the rest of the cheese on top, and don’t stir it in.

6. Place the pan in the oven, uncovered, and bake 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. When it’s done, go ahead and broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese slightly. Once it’s the color you want, serve warm and enjoy!

FAQS ABOUT BROCCOLI CHEDDAR ORZO BAKE

WHAT IS ORZO?

Orzo is a very small pasta that resembles rice. You will often find orzo in dishes that are Italian or soups and casseroles. While it’s not gluten-free, it is actually low carb. It tastes best when you cook it, so it’s al dente, so it doesn’t break down and become mushy.

IS ORZO THE SAME AS RISOTTO?

While orzo does look very similar to risotto, it’s not the same thing at all. Risotto is made with rice and is very creamy. You can actually use orzo as a replacement for rice in many recipes.

HOW LONG DOES COOKED ORZO LAST?

After you have cooked and cooled the broccoli cheddar orzo bake, it will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. You will need to keep it airtight and reheat it before eating.

To reheat the orzo casserole, put it in a microwave-safe bowl and add in 1 tablespoon of water or vegetable broth. This will help prevent it from getting too sticky. You may need to add more if you are heating a lot.

You can also reheat the cooked orzo on the stove-top by using medium-low heat and adding a little bit of liquid to it. Once it’s hot, it’s ready to eat.

Can’t get enough casseroles and one-pot meals? They are a mom’s dream dinner! Check out these tasty dinner ideas: One Pot Lemon Parmesan Pasta, Spaghetti Squash Skillet Casserole, One Pot Penne and Broccoli, and this super easy Vegetarian Pot Pie.

Have extra broccoli? Make this Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli!

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating below! It’s so helpful for other readers to see which recipes are tried and true! I’d also love to see it–share your photo of this dish and tag me on Instagram and I’ll feature you!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
close up shot of broccoli cheddar orzo bake on plate

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Maryea
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Print Recipe

Description

This Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake is a simple, delicious, and comforting one-pot, vegetarian meal that is cozy and delicious. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black black pepper
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 pound dry orzo pasta (whole wheat if you can find it) 
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine* (Note 1) 
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • zest of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 cup milk* (Note 2)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese* (Note 3) 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Heat the avocado oil in a large, oven-safe pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the butter, orzo, broccoli, and thyme, and cook until golden and toasted, 5 minutes.
  4. Add the wine, broth, bay leaf, garlic powder, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Simmer 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente, stirring often.
  5. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the lemon zest, milk, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses overtop of the casserole.
  6. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Turn on the oven’s broiler and broil 1-2 minutes, until the cheese on top is starting to brown and become crispy. Enjoy!

Notes

Note 1: If you prefer to not use wine, just use more vegetable broth in its place.

Note 2: I used whole milk for this recipe, but you can use 2%, skim, or fat-free milk also. Whole milk yields a richer result.

Note 3: For the creamiest, best melting result, shred your own cheese from a block. In a pinch, preshredded cheese will work also.

I used this Zest 4 qt cast iron Dutch Oven from Italic and it worked beautifully!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: dinner recipes
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: american

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450

Keywords: Broccoli orzo bake

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @happyhealthymama on Instagram and hashtag it #happyhealthymama

 

79 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous Post: « The Best Vegetarian Chili
Next Post: Vegan Mushroom Wild Rice Soup »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katelyn Porter says

    May 26, 2021 at 8:34 am

    Yum! Love this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

What are you looking for?

Welcome! I'm Maryea, author of Happy Healthy Mama. I am on a mission to create the healthiest life possible for my family and inspire you to do the same! Read More…

By Category

Easy + Healthy Dinners

shaking a jar with healthy stir fry sauce

Healthy Stir Fry Sauce

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Egg Roll in a bowl with a green and white striped napkin

Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy and Healthy!)

up close photo of salmon quinoa bowl

Salmon Quinoa Bowl Recipe

a big white bowl of pasta

Instant Pot Pasta (3 ingredients!)

close up of instant pot chicken vegetable soup

Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup

close up photo of mozzarella stuffed chicken in marinara sauce

Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe (SO EASY!)

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Archives

Gluten-Free

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Egg Roll in a bowl with a green and white striped napkin

Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy and Healthy!)

Carrot and Lentil Soup on a spoon from a white bowl

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

a white sauce dripping from a spoon

Garlic Tahini Sauce

More Posts from this Category

Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Carrot and Lentil Soup on a spoon from a white bowl

Carrot and Lentil Soup

a white sauce dripping from a spoon

Garlic Tahini Sauce

A spoonful of vegan caramel sauce

Vegan Caramel Sauce (No added sugar!)

overhead shot of Chocolate Baked Oats recipe in pan

Chocolate Baked Oats Recipe (Healthy!)

Quick and easy vegan mushroom soup with spoon

Quick and Easy Vegan Mushroom Soup

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

a white sauce dripping from a spoon

Garlic Tahini Sauce

overhead shot of Chocolate Baked Oats recipe in pan

Chocolate Baked Oats Recipe (Healthy!)

an overhead shot of a bowl of overnight oats topped with blueberries

High Protein Overnight Oats

green smoothie in a glass

Iron Rich Smoothie Recipe

See More →

Vegan

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

Carrot and Lentil Soup on a spoon from a white bowl

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

a white sauce dripping from a spoon

Garlic Tahini Sauce

A spoonful of vegan caramel sauce

Vegan Caramel Sauce (No added sugar!)

Quick and easy vegan mushroom soup with spoon

Quick and Easy Vegan Mushroom Soup

green smoothie in a glass

Iron Rich Smoothie Recipe

See More →

Anti-Inflammatory

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Egg Roll in a bowl with a green and white striped napkin

Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy and Healthy!)

Carrot and Lentil Soup on a spoon from a white bowl

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

a white sauce dripping from a spoon

Garlic Tahini Sauce

A spoonful of vegan caramel sauce

Vegan Caramel Sauce (No added sugar!)

More Posts from this Category

Kid-Friendly

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Egg Roll in a bowl with a green and white striped napkin

Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy and Healthy!)

A spoonful of vegan caramel sauce

Vegan Caramel Sauce (No added sugar!)

overhead shot of Chocolate Baked Oats recipe in pan

Chocolate Baked Oats Recipe (Healthy!)

up close photo of salmon quinoa bowl

Salmon Quinoa Bowl Recipe

a big white bowl of pasta

Instant Pot Pasta (3 ingredients!)

More Posts from this Category

Smoothies

green smoothie in a glass
Pineapple Smoothie recipe with banana and ginger
Pineapple Spinach Smoothie looking down into the glass
A hand grabbing a green straw that is in a tall glass with a chocolate colored smoothie
Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe in a tall glass with a red and and white striped straw and a strawberry garnish
Cranberry Smoothie recipe in a tall glass with two straws and fresh cranberries on the table and a blue and white napkin
2 mango smoothies with turquoise paper straws
blueberry chocolate smoothie in a tall glass with chocolate and blueberries on top

More Posts from this Category

Breakfast

overhead shot of Chocolate Baked Oats recipe in pan

Chocolate Baked Oats Recipe (Healthy!)

an overhead shot of a bowl of overnight oats topped with blueberries

High Protein Overnight Oats

green smoothie in a glass

Iron Rich Smoothie Recipe

close up view of buckwheat pancakes with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas and syrup dripping down the stack

Buckwheat Pancakes Recipe

a bowl of oatmeal with a cup of coffee and a bowl of fresh apples in the background

Best Ever Apple Pie Overnight Oats

an overhead shot of zucchini gratin with fresh basil on top

75 Healthy Zucchini Recipes

baked oatmeal in a dish with a spoon scooping out a serving

Peach Baked Oatmeal (Easy + Healthy!)

vegan zucchini muffins on a board

Wholesome Vegan Zucchini Muffins

See More →

Lunch

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Edamame Salad in a white bowl

Edamame Salad Recipe (Easy!)

Cold Busting Soup Recipe

Cold Busting Soup

overhead shot of Roasted Red Pepper Soup recipe

Roasted Red Pepper Soup Recipe

apple cranberry tuna salad on bread with a green and white striped napkin

Apple Cranberry Tuna Salad

Spicy Turkey Meal Prep Bowls

Salmon Salad in a bowl with a fork

Salmon Salad Recipe

a spoonful of Greek Lemon Chicken soup coming out of bowl

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo

See More →

Dinner

shaking a jar with healthy stir fry sauce

Healthy Stir Fry Sauce

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Egg Roll in a bowl with a green and white striped napkin

Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy and Healthy!)

up close photo of salmon quinoa bowl

Salmon Quinoa Bowl Recipe

a big white bowl of pasta

Instant Pot Pasta (3 ingredients!)

close up of instant pot chicken vegetable soup

Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup

close up photo of mozzarella stuffed chicken in marinara sauce

Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe (SO EASY!)

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

See More →

Desserts

A spoonful of vegan caramel sauce

Vegan Caramel Sauce (No added sugar!)

a stack of gluten free peanut butter blossoms

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

close up photo of a stack of cookies on a green plate

Brown Butter Snickerdoodles (Must try!)

Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (4 ingredients)

close up photo of air fryer apples (slices)

Air Fryer Apples (Healthy!)

serving up Simple Baked Apples Recipe whole apples and baked dish

Simple Baked Apples Recipe

Almond Flour chocolate Chip Cookies recipe with a bite out of one

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

how to make Vegan Chocolate Ganache recipe in a red bowl

How to Make Vegan Chocolate Ganache

See More →

Snacks

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

green smoothie in a glass

Iron Rich Smoothie Recipe

close up photo of air fryer apples (slices)

Air Fryer Apples (Healthy!)

apple cucumber salad in a white bowl with a napkin next to the bowl and salt and pepper shakers in the background.

Quick & Easy Apple Cucumber Salad

an overhead shot of zucchini gratin with fresh basil on top

75 Healthy Zucchini Recipes

vegan zucchini muffins on a board

Wholesome Vegan Zucchini Muffins

Pineapple Spinach Smoothie looking down into the glass

Pineapple Spinach Smoothie Recipe

Perfect Guacamole for football game entertaining

The Best Guacamole Recipe-Ever!

See More →

Salads

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

apple cucumber salad in a white bowl with a napkin next to the bowl and salt and pepper shakers in the background.

Quick & Easy Apple Cucumber Salad

an overhead shot of zucchini gratin with fresh basil on top

75 Healthy Zucchini Recipes

Broccoli Salad with yogurt dressing

Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Edamame Salad in a white bowl

Edamame Salad Recipe (Easy!)

overhead shot of Thai Salad in a white bowl with a serving spoon and a green and white napkin

Vibrant Thai Salad

Beet Salad with goat cheese recipe on a fork

Delicious Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

apple cranberry tuna salad on bread with a green and white striped napkin

Apple Cranberry Tuna Salad

See More →

Soups

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe--spoonful

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Lightened up!)

Carrot and Lentil Soup on a spoon from a white bowl

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Quick and easy vegan mushroom soup with spoon

Quick and Easy Vegan Mushroom Soup

close up of instant pot chicken vegetable soup

Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

Pantry Pumpkin Bisque

close up photo of Chickpea Soup recipe

Chickpea Soup (Easy and healthy!)

overhead shot of Red Cabbage Soup recipe in a white bowl with a navy napkin and spoon in the background

Red Cabbage Soup (Incredible!)

an overhead shot of zucchini gratin with fresh basil on top

75 Healthy Zucchini Recipes

See More →

Side Dishes

Instant Pot Green Beans in a white bowl

Instant Pot Green Beans

Creamy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils

close up shot of air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

a big white bowl of pasta

Instant Pot Pasta (3 ingredients!)

stuffed garlic bread recipe close up shot from overhead

Best Ever Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe

close up photo of honey roasted carrots and parsnips recipe

Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips (Easiest ever!)

overhead shot of pear compote in a jar

Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe

overhead shot of Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Quick & Easy!)

See More →

Appetizers

Buffalo Cauliflower Poppers healthy football food

Healthy Super Bowl Recipes

stuffed garlic bread recipe close up shot from overhead

Best Ever Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe

Beetroot hummus with carrots crackers and cucumbers on a board

Beetroot Hummus Recipe

Broccoli Salad with yogurt dressing

Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe overhead shot

Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

buffalo chicken dip on a celery stick

Dairy-Free Buffalo Chicken Dip (4 ingredients!)

This Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect appetizer for your Super Bowl Party recipe line-up! No one will notice the missing calories or fat.

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Lighten up your game day and party appetizers with this SKINNY Spinach Artichoke Dip. Tastes AMAZING but with less calorie! #recipe #partyfood

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip

More Posts from this Category

Beverages

Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea in a clear mug with a lemon wheel on the rim

Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea Recipe

Crock Pot Hot chocolate with marshmallows

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

cranberry margarita with a sugar rim, lime wheel, and fresh cranberries

Cranberry Margarita – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipe

Patritotic Sangria recipe close up in a glass with fruit

Patriotic Sangria Recipe

Simply the best margarita in the world

Simply the Best Margarita Recipe

Anti-inflammatory turmeric smoothie recipe

Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Smoothie

healthy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe in a mug

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe (Dairy Free and Sugar Free!)

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe close up of glass with lemon garnish

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

See More →

Footer

Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · Cookd Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in