Broccoli cheese casserole with orzo

Step by Step

Step 1

Heat a large skillet with sides over medium/high heat and add the olive oil to the skillet. When the olive oil is fragrant, add the onion. Season the onion with ⅛ teaspoon of the salt and saute for 3 minutes.

Step 2

Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1 minute before adding orzo to the skillet. Toss the orzo with the onion and garlic and toast the orzo for 3-4 minutes or until it begins to turn a golden brown. Be sure to move the orzo around with a spatula pretty consistently.

Step 3

Next, add the remaining salt, chives, black pepper, broth, milk and hot sauce to the skillet and stir. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil and then turn the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the orzo simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Uncover the skillet and add the chopped broccoli. Gently toss the broccoli with the orzo and cover the skillet again. Let the ingredients simmer together for another 3-4 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed in the skillet.

Step 5

Uncover the skillet and remove it from the heat. Add the cheddar cheese to the skillet and stir the cheese into the orzo until it melts.

Step 6

Serve the orzo immediately with freshly cracked pepper and enjoy.

Tips and Warnings

We add the broccoli later in the cooking time so it doesn’t get mushy.
If you still have liquid in the skillet after 6-8 minutes, leave the skillet uncovered for a few minutes so the liquid can cook off a bit.