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If you’re looking for a quick and healthy side dish that’s kid-friendly to boot, this Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Orzo is your ticket! It’s creamy, colorful, and comes together in one pot! Perfect alongside chicken, fish, or even on its own as a light meal. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some extra vegetables into your day (especially for picky eaters).
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy One-Pot Meal: This creamy orzo comes together in just one pot and under 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. Fewer dishes, faster cleanup! I can’t get enough of Easy One Pan Dinner Recipes!
- Veggie-Packed and Kid-Friendly: The carrots and broccoli are finely chopped, so they blend right into the orzo! Perfect for sneaking in extra vegetables for the picky eaters in the family.
- Perfect as a Side or Main Dish: Serve it as a flavorful side with Marinated Chicken or Air Fryer Salmon, or enjoy it on its own as a light and satisfying vegetarian main.
The Ingredients
- Garlic clove: Adds aromatic flavor without overpowering the dish. Love garlic? Add an extra clove or two!
- Shallot: A bit milder than onion, but just as flavorful. If onion is all you have, then go for it! This recipe is highly adaptable.
- Baby carrots: I use baby carrots so that I don’t have to peel and chop anything before tossing into the food processor, but feel free to use large carrots if that’s what you have on hand.
- Broccoli florets: A pop of green and a dose of fiber.
- Unsalted butter or olive oil: Choose your favorite for sautéing! Either work great.
- Orzo: White or whole wheat both work beautifully.
- Chicken or vegetable broth: Adds depth and savory flavor. If you’re wanting this dish to be vegetarian, opt for the vegetable broth.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For that irresistible cheesy and creamy finish.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it vegetarian: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add more veggies: Stir in frozen peas, chopped spinach, or zucchini with the orzo.
- Try a different cheese: Swap Parmesan for cheddar, Gruyère, or a sprinkle of feta.
- Make it dairy-free: Use olive oil instead of butter and skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Add protein: Stir in cooked, shredded chicken or white beans to make it a full meal.
How to Make Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Orzo
Step 1: Prep the vegetables. Place shallot and garlic in food processor and pulse to chop. Add baby carrots and broccoli florets to the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides half way until finely chopped.
Step 2: Saute vegetables and orzo. In a large stock pot, heat 2 tbsp of butter or olive oil and sauté the chopped vegetables, raw orzo and salt for 4 minutes stirring continuously.
Step 3: Add liquids. Add the salt, water and broth to the pot and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes uncovered, or until the liquid starts to evaporate and the mixture thickens.
Step 4: Finish with cheese. Add the parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip the sauté step: it adds flavor and helps the veggies soften before the orzo cooks.
- Keep stirring as the orzo cooks to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Use a high-sided pot so everything has room to simmer without overflowing.
- Pulse, don’t purée. You want the veggies finely chopped, not mushy.
FAQs
Yes, with a few simple modifications. This orzo is soft, easy to chew, and full of finely chopped vegetables which is great for little ones who are learning to eat more textures. For babies under 12 months, skip the added salt and consider using a low-sodium broth or just water. You can also reduce or omit the cheese if you’re avoiding dairy. As always, consult your pediatrician for specific feeding guidance.
Yes! It reheats well. Just add a splash of broth or water before warming it up on the stovetop or in the microwave to bring back the creamy texture. My kids love this dish just as much cold though, so I’ll add it to their lunchbox too!
Absolutely. Just thaw them slightly before pulsing in the food processor so they chop evenly.
More Delicious Broccoli and Carrot Recipes
Whether you’re making this as a side dish or turning it into a simple main, Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Orzo is a cozy, veggie-packed recipe that hits the spot every time. It’s quick, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Save it for your next weeknight dinner or meal prep it for easy lunches all week! Let me know what you think — leave a comment and rating below!
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Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 small shallot
- 1 cup baby carrots (or peeled and chopped large carrots)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1 cup white or whole wheat orzo
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place shallot and garlic in food processor and pulse to chop.
- Add baby carrots and broccoli florets to the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides half way until finely chopped.
- In a large stock pot, heat 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil and sauté the chopped vegetables, raw orzo and salt for 4 minutes stirring continuously.
- Add the salt, water and broth to the pot and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes uncovered, or until the liquid starts to evaporate and the mixture thickens.
- Add the parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
Notes
- Don’t skip the sauté step: it adds flavor and helps the veggies soften before the orzo cooks.
- Keep stirring as the orzo cooks to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Use a high-sided pot so everything has room to simmer without overflowing.
- Pulse, don’t purée. You want the veggies finely chopped, not mushy.
- If making for a baby or toddler: This orzo is soft, easy to chew, and full of finely chopped vegetables which is great for little ones who are learning to eat more textures. For babies under 12 months, skip the added salt and consider using a low-sodium broth or just water. You can also reduce or omit the cheese if you’re avoiding dairy. As always, consult your pediatrician for specific feeding guidance.
I made this last night for my daughter’s lunch today and it was so easy to make especially using the food processor to do the chopping. Thank you!
Made this last night. Myself, Daddy and Dannell (2) LOVED this!!! Yummy!!!!
She ate it! She ate it! My very picky 13 month old ate something with carrot in it. Thank you so much for this idea.
Sweet! Just figured out what we’re having for lunch today. Thank you! 🙂
I am also wondering if this can be frozen?
Will this freeze well in containers in individual servings? I can’t wait to try this with my little one!
Great idea! My 3yo will only eat one-pot type of meals, so this is perfect for him.
The food processor idea is AWESOME!!! That will save me so much time. I have 14 month old twins and a 3 year old…I try to chop things small enough when I’m cooking so my girls can eat whatever I cook right out of the pot but it takes soooo long. I can’t wait to try this recipe and the get the food processor going!!!!
PS. My 3 year old is a picky little boy and so far 99% of your recipes have been a hit with him :). My girls are eating me out of house and home and have LOVED everything!
So it was you – I saw the commercial too and thought so!
Thanks you:)
This is totally off subject but a friend of mine just sent me a clip of a video & before the video there was a nice & easy commercial…with you in it! I was like, wait a minute…isn’t that Catherine? Cool commercial. Congrats.
OMG, this looks so good. I can’t wait to make this for my 20 month old. She’s going to LOVE this. Thank you as always fir the best recipes, I can’t wait for your book to come out!!!
I recommend low sodium chicken broth, I usually buy mine from trader joes 🙂
Hi Catherine,
My son just turned 1 yesterday and I’d like to try this recipe…What type of chicken broth would you recommend? Awesome site by the way…always looking forward to see what’s new! Thanks…..
any luck? how old is she? mine is 2 1/2 – great eater, but same issues with mixed foods
This looks tasty. My daughter won’t eat food all mixed together like that yet. Everything must be deconstructed. I hope this phase ends soon so I can make dishes like this for her!