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If you’re looking for more orzo recipes to add to your meal planning, look no further than this one-pot Broccoli Orzo Bake.
It’s a quick, easy and delicious vegetarian family meal that’s ideal for everyone to tuck into.
Have you ever cooked with orzo pasta? If not, where have you been my friends?!
It’s shaped in tiny little grains, a little like rice. This means when it cooks it gives a kind of risotto vibe. It also cooks quickly and evenly with no faff, which of course we love.
I’ve left this recipe meat free as I’m always trying to introduce more meat-free recipes to our dinners and I love broccoli. You could add in ham, or other cooked meats though if you like.
This orzo recipe involves very little effort, not much time in the oven, and is just one of those quick dinner wins when time and ingredients are low. This is perfect for budget meal planning at any time of the year too.
Why you’ll love this Orzo Bake recipe
⭐️ Super easy and no-faff
⭐️ All made in one pan
⭐️ Two portions of veg
About this Orzo Bake
Orzo is a kind of pasta that is shaped a bit like rice. In Italy, it is known as ‘little pasta’ and was traditionally used in soups, but it has become a widely-used versatile type of pasta that can be used in many kinds of hot or cold dishes.
It’s also a great one for something a little different in the slow cooker, like my Lamb Orzo Stew recipe.
(I have added a hob method for this recipe too in case you’d rather not use your oven for this recipe.)
Broccoli Orzo Bake Ingredients
- Oil
- Onion – Fresh or pre-prepared frozen (my preference)
- Broccoli – A whole head
- Garlic – Fresh, frozen, jarred or paste is fine
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Orzo
- Vegetable stock – A cube will be OK
- Pesto
- Peas
- Grated cheese
Substitutions
- Meat – Feel free to add meat if you prefer, such as chicken or ham. Or you could adapt this from my Meatball Orzo Bake recipe instead.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this refrigerated and reheat this but you might find with orzo that it becomes a bit gloopy. Add a splash of water or an ice cube before you reheat it to stop it drying out.
In the freezer Orzo is always at its best when cooked and eaten immediately, but that’s not to say it won’t still be delicious if it’s out of the freezer. See the tip above for reheating.
Top tip
Cheese
You can use any cheese to grate over this recipe, but I find the stronger flavour the better, especially when it goes over broccoli as the two ingredients go so well together.
More Orzo recipes…
One Pot Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Orzo {One Pot Recipe}
Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Lamb Orzo Stew {with Feta}
One Pot
Orzo Bolognese {One Pot}
FAQs
This recipe would be a bit hit and miss with with another kind of pasta because orzo cooks so quickly. If you have rice you could try my easy oven risotto instead. That has a similar cooking style but with risotto rice instead of orzo.
I have tried-and-tested a number of one-pan pans which might help. Read the review here.
Yes! The full method is on the recipe below, but basically you add everything to a pan with oil, simmer for 15 minutes with the lid on, stir occasionally, then add the pesto and peas when the orzo is soft. Sprinkle with cheese and grill for 5 minutes.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Broccoli Orzo Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Oil
- 1 Onion, Peeled and chopped
- 300 g Broccoli, If cooking for 4 people, just use a whole head, the weight is a guide! Cut into small chunks
- 2 Cloves of garlic, Peeled and chopped
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 300 g Orzo
- 500 ml Vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp Pesto
- 200 g Peas
- 75 g Grated cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C.
- In a roasting tin put the oil, onion, broccoli, garlic, paprika and salt and pepper. Toss everything so it's all coated. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Add the orzo, pesto and stock. Mix well, cover with a lid (or tin foil). Bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven add the peas, mix in and sprinkle the cheese over. Bake for a further 5 minutes, uncovered.
- Check that the orzo is cooked through and serve.
To make on the hob:
- Heat oil in sauté pan and add onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add in the broccoli, paprika, salt, pepper, orzo and vegetable stock.
- Bring to a simmer, cover with lid and cook for 15 minutes over a low heat. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
- When the orzo is soft, stir in the pesto and the peas.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and place under the grill for 5 minutes until golden.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this evening for husband and myself. Reduced some ingredients by half and added chicken. Didn’t have any pesto but no matter, it was still delicious and I’ll definitely cook again. Will probably add more paprika as my husband likes spicy.
Thank you Sarah for this easy to follow recipe using everyday, readily available ingredients.