Can I use frozen broccoli in this recipe?

Yes! I use frozen broccoli all the time, especially on busy weeknights. There’s no need to thaw it — just toss it into the skillet as you would with fresh broccoli. It may release a little extra water, but that usually cooks off while simmering. If you love quick veggie-packed meals, you might also enjoy this Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl — it’s just as simple and flexible.

What can I use instead of orzo?

If you don’t have orzo on hand, try: Small pasta shapes like acini di pepe , pastina , or ditalini Couscous (though it cooks faster, so adjust time) Rice or quinoa (note: both will need a longer cook time and possibly more liquid) Looking for another fun way to use orzo? Try this One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe — it’s zesty, hearty, and comes together fast.

How do I make this dairy-free?

Great question! To make it dairy-free: Use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute Swap out the milk for unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk Use your favorite vegan cheese or stir in nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy You can also check out this fully plant-based version: Vegan Sausage Broccoli Orzo Skillet — it's just as creamy and satisfying.

Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. You can stir in: Shredded rotisserie chicken Cooked ground turkey or beef White beans or chickpeas Even sautéed tofu if you want to keep it vegetarian Or give this protein-packed Chicken and Broccoli Pasta a try next time — it’s another one-pot wonder.

Broccoli and Orzo Skillet Easy One-Pan Dinner

Description

A creamy, cheesy, one-pan weeknight dinner packed with broccoli and orzo — ready in under 30 minutes and totally kid-approved.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
3 cups vegetable broth
4 cups chopped broccoli (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 4–5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Stir in the minced garlic and dry orzo. Let it toast lightly for a minute.
Add the broccoli and stir it into the mix. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8–9 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
Once the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has cooked down, remove the skillet from heat.
Stir in the milk and shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot.

Notes

Use small broccoli florets for even cooking. Stir often to avoid sticking. Customize with add-ins like peas, spinach, or mushrooms.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 570mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 35mg