Broccoli Orzo Bake {Vegetarian Pasta Recipe}

Name: Broccoli Orzo Bake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
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

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 pasta dish that’s ideal for the whole family to tuck into.

Oven dish filled with broccoli orzo pasta bake topped with cheese

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

A dish with broccoli, orzo and peas, topped with melted cheese

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 tips for making this Orzo Bake

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.

Orzo Bake FAQs

Will this recipe work with a different type of pasta?

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.

Can you recommend a good pan to do this dish in?

I have tried-and-tested a number of one-pan pans which might help. Read the review here.

Can I make this on the hob instead of in the oven?

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).