Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Orzo

This broccoli cheese casserole is made in a forged iron skillet and options our favourite noodle – orzo!

Favourite Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

Prepare for the broccoli casserole of your goals as a result of this broccoli and cheese casserole is actually that.

Made with toasted orzo, recent broccoli, and a easy cheese sauce, this casserole is the right aspect or fundamental meal for any night time of the week. Plus, you solely want 1 pan so the dishes are a breeze!

Why you’ll find it irresistible!

Made in a skillet

Vegetarian

Prepared in 35 minutes

Severely really easy!

Featured Components

Orzo: as a substitute of utilizing rice or a basic noodle, we’re utilizing orzo! We love the way it tastes toasted and it pairs completely with broccoli and cheese.
Contemporary broccoli: ensure that to make use of recent broccoli florets on this recipe as a substitute of frozen.
Cheddar cheese: the cheese sauce options yellow cheddar cheese, however you’ll be able to swap it for white cheddar or perhaps a cheddar mix.
Milk and Broth: 2% milk and broth are wanted to make the sauce.
Garlic: garlic provides a lot recent and easy taste to this broccoli cheese casserole recipe.

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Forged Iron Pan

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How you can Make Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

Prepare dinner onion: warmth olive oil in a big skillet with sides. Add the onion and salt and cook dinner for 3 minutes.
Toast orzo: add in raw orzo and toast till golden brown.
Add liquid: add spices and liquid to the skillet and blend to mix. Deliver to a mild boil and let simmer lined for 3-4 minutes.
Add broccoli: add within the broccoli and toss and let the combination simmer for 3-4 minutes or till nearly all of the liquid has been absorbed.
Add cheese: add the cheese and blend till it melts and every little thing is mixed.
Serve: function a aspect or vegetarian fundamental.

Newest Vegetarian Dinner Concepts

mixing broccoli and cheese with orzo in a cast iron skillet.

FAQ

Do you cook dinner broccoli earlier than placing in casserole?

There isn’t a have to precook broccoli earlier than cooking it on this broccoli cheese casserole recipe.

Can broccoli cheese casserole be frozen?

We don’t advocate freezing broccoli cheese casserole as a result of the broccoli and orzo will turn into mushy as soon as thawed.

Do you place egg in broccoli casserole?

Eggs will not be wanted in broccoli casserole

Can I substitute frozen broccoli for recent in a casserole?

The quick reply is sure you’ll be able to. Nonetheless frozen broccoli comprises the next water content material than recent and cooks so much sooner so your casserole could also be a bit watery and the broccoli might overcook.

Serving Strategies

Protein: serve this casserole as a aspect subsequent to your favourite protein. Listed below are some concepts:

Salad: lighten issues up with a inexperienced salad: butter lettuce salad, hen caesar salad, or harvest salad.

Vacation Aspect: serve this casserole as a vacation aspect subsequent to your loved ones’s favourite dishes reminiscent of smoked turkey, crockpot mashed potatoes, and sauteed inexperienced beans.

broccoli and cheese casserole in a bowl with a fork.

Storage

Retailer leftover broccoli and cheese casserole in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-5 days.

To reheat: reheat within the microwave on excessive for 60-90 seconds.

Components

1.5 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion minced
1 teaspoon salt separated
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup orzo raw
2 teaspoons dried chives
¼ teaspoon floor black pepper
1 cup hen broth
½ cup 2% or complete milk
2 teaspoons Franks sizzling sauce
12- oz. broccoli florets chopped into chunk dimension items
1.5 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese

Directions

Warmth a big skillet with sides over medium/excessive warmth and add the olive oil to the skillet. When the olive oil is aromatic, add the onion. Season the onion with ⅛ teaspoon of the salt and saute for 3 minutes.
Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté for one more 1 minute earlier than including orzo to the skillet. Toss the orzo with the onion and garlic and toast the orzo for 3-4 minutes or till it begins to show a golden brown. You’ll want to transfer the orzo round with a spatula fairly constantly.
Subsequent, add the remaining salt, chives, black pepper, broth, and milk to the skillet and stir. Deliver the liquid to a mild boil after which flip the warmth to low and canopy the skillet. Let the orzo simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Uncover the skillet and add the chopped broccoli. Gently toss the broccoli with the orzo and canopy the skillet once more. Let the substances simmer collectively for one more 3-4 minutes or till a lot of the liquid is absorbed within the skillet.
Uncover the skillet and take away it from the warmth. Add the cheddar cheese to the skillet and stir the cheese into the orzo till it melts.
Serve the orzo instantly with freshly cracked pepper and revel in.

Suggestions & Notes

We add the broccoli later within the cooking time so it doesn’t get mushy.
In the event you nonetheless have liquid within the skillet after 6-8 minutes, depart the skillet uncovered for a couple of minutes so the liquid can cook dinner off a bit.

Diet information

Energy: 428kcal Carbohydrates: 41g Protein: 19g Fats: 21g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 6g

Images: pictures taken on this publish are by Ashley McGlaughlin from The Edible Perspective.