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CREAMY ORZO WITH PARMESAN AND BROCCOLI centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Yesica Andrews

Creamy Orzo with Parmesan and Broccoli Recipe Easy

This Creamy Orzo with Parmesan and Broccoli is a simple and delightful dish that combines tender orzo pasta with fresh broccoli and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it offers a creamy texture and savory flavors that everyone will enjoy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup broccoli florets cut into small pieces
  • 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, optional

Method
 

  1. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Toss in the orzo, stirring to evenly coat with the oil and garlic.
  4. Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the pot and bring everything to a boil.
  5. Introduce the broccoli pieces, then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
  6. Allow the orzo and broccoli to cook, stirring now and then, for roughly 10 minutes until most liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender.
  7. Mix in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  8. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cheese has melted smoothly.

Notes

  • To make this dish heartier, consider adding cooked chicken or shrimp. Adjust the red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.