Broccoli Orzo Recipe - Easy orzo recipe tossed with broccoli, sauteed onions, garlic and parmesan cheese. Broccoli orzo has become one of my favorite easy dinner side dish recipes.
We like to serve Broccoli Orzo with Chicken Parmesan, Pesto Chicken or other easy main courses to make for a super simple yet delicious dinner. I will link a few of my favorite main courses to pair with orzo for you below!
Another great idea is to the add cooked chicken, or cooked sliced andouille sausage to the orzo to turn this dish into a main course! I'm so excited to share this super easy and delicious recipe with you.
Ingredients you need to make Broccoli Orzo:
Orzo - You can use your favorite brand orzo. You'll need a half pound.
Broccoli - Frozen or fresh broccoli both work great in this recipe.
Onion - Yellow, sweet or white onion work best in this recipe.
Garlic - Fresh garlic is best! If you don't have fresh on hand, you can substitute for 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Parmesan Cheese - A good quality parmesan cheese grated fresh off the block is my favorite. However, you can use whatever parmesan you have on hand.
Creamy Caesar Dressing - Use your favorite homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe or your favorite store-bought dressing.
Butter - Salted or unsalted butter both work great.
Olive Oil - You can also use avocado, canola, or your favorite cooking oil as well.
Salt + Black Pepper - I almost always use sea salt in my recipes but you can use your favorite cooking salt. You can use fresh cracked black pepper or ground.
Tools to have on and for this recipe:
- Nonstick Skillet with lid – To cook the broccoli and onion mixture and to finish the orzo in.
- Measuring Spoons + Cups – For properly measuring all of your ingredients.
- Cutting Board + Chef Knife - To chop up the onion.
How to Make Broccoli Orzo:
Cook orzo according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the orzo is cooking, steam broccoli until just tender. Be careful not to over steam because the broccoli will become mushy.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and oil to the skillet and add onions. Cook until onions are tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook another minute.
Add broccoli, orzo and remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the large skillet with onion mixture. Stir in Caesar dressing and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the dish and mix to combine, gently breaking up the broccoli.
Serve with your favorite main courses! Enjoy!
Main courses to serve with orzo:
Pesto Chicken Parmesan - Delicious crispy parmesan chicken with pesto sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. This easy pesto chicken dinner recipe is cooked on the stovetop and is done in under 30 minutes!
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken - Super tender and juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked low and slow in a delicious balsamic sauce.
Chicken Parmesan - (Chicken Parmigiana) Easy crispy breaded baked chicken topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
French Onion Pork Chops - Savory pork chops seared in a hot skillet topped with a mouthwatering French caramelized onion gravy.
More side dish recipes you'll love:
Balsamic Glazed Baked Asparagus - Delicious and easy oven baked asparagus finished with a mouthwatering balsamic glaze.
Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes - Fresh rosemary and garlic baked red potatoes with a light golden crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
Simple Caesar Salad - My quick and easy caesar salad is made with homemade dressing, crunchy romaine, croutons and freshly shaved parmesan cheese.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese - The creamiest, cheesiest mac and cheese baked to a golden perfection! What could be better? This baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food.
Honey Roasted Whole Carrots - Whole carrots seasoned with honey, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and fresh dill roasted to perfection in the oven.
Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
- ½ lb Orzo
- 3 cups Broccoli Florets
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup Onion chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ¼ cup Creamy Caesar Dressing
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the orzo is cooking, steam broccoli until just tender. Be careful not to over steam because the broccoli will become mushy.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and oil to the skillet and add onions. Cook until onions are tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook another minute.
- Toss broccoli and orzo into the large skillet with onion mixture. Stir in Caesar dressing and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the dish and mix to combine, gently breaking up the broccoli.
- Serve Broccoli orzo with your favorite main courses! Enjoy!
Grace miller
Would I be able to use Italian dressing instead of the Caesar dressing?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Grace! I think that would be yummy! :)Amanda
Karen Coghlan
I can't remember being so overwhelmed by a dish! This was astoundingly delicious. My friend and I - just the two of us - nearly ate the whole bowl. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Karen! Thank you so much for your nice review! I'm so happy you liked this orzo :)Amanda
Denise
This was a good base recipe. I used what I had on hand. Sub'd dried tortellini for the orzo. I retained some of the pasta water to loosen up the final mixture. I added some chopped bell pepper with the onion and garlic. Kicked up the spice a little with some red pepper. Next time I'll add some chicken or shrimp for a protein add.
Lauren
Looooved this dish, I ate this as my entree bc I literally only had broccoli left in my fridge lol. I also added some feta cheese, roasted tomatoes wth a squeeze of lemon juice, yuuuum! 😋
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Lauren, Thank you for the review! Those sound like amazing additions to this orzo recipe!!! 🙂
Tammy Caldwell
Amanda, I want to make this but it doesn't say when to add the Caesar dressing??
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Tammy! Sorry about that, I updated the recipe. :)Amanda
Amara
I made this last night for my family and I definitely recommend.Not to mention super easy to make, which is always a bonus. My whole family, even the kids, enjoyed. Thank you!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Amara! I am so happy you and your family enjoyed this orzo! Thank you so much for the review. 🙂