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    Home » Side Dishes » Cheesy Orzo with Broccoli

    Cheesy Orzo with Broccoli

    Published: Jul 22, 2015 · Modified: May 23, 2019 by Linda Warren

    Orzo with Broccoli main | 2CookinMamas

    This was clean out the pantry week around our house. Every once in a while it's a good idea to search out those items that wound up at the back of the shelf and create a recipe to use them up. I hate to waste anything so I try to do this at least once every few months.

    Today's pantry cleaning revealed a half package of orzo that I had used in a winter soup. Orzo is small and shaped like rice and doesn't work very well as a spaghetti meal so I had to think of something a little outside the box.

    How about macaroni and cheese? OK, not too outside the box, but most people use elbow or shell macaroni so this was a little different. I also wanted to keep it from being too caloric but still have it resemble comfort food. So I decided to add some fresh broccoli I had just picked up in the market and traded out the higher fat cheeses and milk for low-fat versions.

    Orzo with Broccoli close up | 2CookinMamas

    It came out surprisingly creamy and rich and tasted like a cross between macaroni and cheese and broccoli with cream sauce. It was a whole lot of cheesy goodness in one incredibly easy dish!

    Hope you enjoy!

    Orzo with Broccoli

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup orzo
    • 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
    • ¼-1/2 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 3 Tablespoons Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
    • 1 Tablespoon butter
    • ¼-1/2 cup lowfat milk
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Directions:

    Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add orzo and cook for 6 minutes. Add chopped broccoli and continue to cook for 3 more minutes or until orzo is al dente.

    Drain in colander and place back in saucepan. Add the cheeses, butter and ¼ cup milk. Stir well and only add more milk if the mixture seems too dry. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

    Makes 3-4 servings.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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