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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

  • FOOD HOLIDAYS CALENDAR

Cheesy Vegetable Orzo

January 16 By Renée 14 Comments

Creamy Vegetable Orzo - Pin

Cheesy Vegetable Orzo is a quick, easy, economical side dish that will convert even your worst vegetable-haters into zucchini-eaters.

Orzo Side dish
I love this orzo recipe! It’s fast and easy to make, extremely economical, and it goes with practically anything.

Cheesy Vegetable Orzo isn’t a fancy recipe, or one that will impress your friends with its exotic flavor profile.

No, this simple orzo side dish is more along the lines of …

… I just got home from work and I’m tired and I need a quick and easy side dish to go with this roast chicken I just picked up from Costco. Preferably something I can make from pantry and fridge staples, because I’m not going out there again today! 

Cheezy Vegetable Orzo | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Every time I make Cheesy Vegetable Orzo, this little eye-roller happens at the dinner table:

Me: [Putting the orzo on the table]

Someone: (There is always someone) “Is that rice?”

Me: (Every time) “No – it’s orzo. Orzo is rice-shaped pasta.”

Every. Time.

And every time it plays out, I laugh inside my head. I know it doesn’t sound funny, but the thing is, I’m pretty sure I’ve said the same exact thing at least fifty times in the last ten years, and I can guarantee the next time I make it, someone will ask again. (Can anyone relate?)

Either I am easily entertained or they are slow learners.

Maybe both.

(Sigh)

Orzo Side dish

Anywho, I got this vegetable orzo recipe from my friend Val many years ago, and it has become a staple on our table ever since. You can make it with fresh basil (fresh is always best) but dried basil works fine, too. 

Orzo Side dish
5 from 6 votes

Cheesy Vegetable Orzo

Cheesy Vegetable Orzo is a quick, easy, economical side dish that will convert even your worst vegetable-haters into zucchini-eaters.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: pasta
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 116kcal
Author: Renée ♥

Equipment

  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup orzo uncooked
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 Tbs chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil

Instructions

  • In a medium non-stick saucepan, saute onion in olive oil until soft (about three minutes). Add garlic and saute one minute more.
  • Add broth, grated carrots, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. (Add dried basil at this time if you aren't using fresh.)
  • Add orzo. Cover, reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
  • Remove from heat; stir in zucchini, cheese, and fresh basil if you are using it. Cover and let stand 2 minutes.

Notes

BROTH: If I use a commercially prepared vegetable broth, I omit the salt. If I use a homemade one, I dilute it dramatically so that the broth flavor doesn't overpower the other vegetables.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.8g | Protein: 6.7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Orzo Side dish

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Creamy Vegetable Orzo - PinWavy Line

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This post was originally published August 22, 2013

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Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: Cheese, Pasta, Weight Watchers

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About Renée

Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

Comments

  1. blankShayla says

    January 16 at

    I have most of these ingredients, I think I’ll make some of this tonight! It looks fantastic.

    Reply
  2. blankAmber Myers says

    January 16 at

    I tend to love all things with cheese. I am excited to try this out. It looks spectacular.

    Reply
  3. blankTonje says

    January 16 at

    This was delicious! Will be making it again for sure.

    Reply
  4. blankBintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    January 16 at

    Now this looks like a side dish I definitely need to try! I struggle to get the family to eat zucchini sometimes so this may get them eating it.

    Reply
    • blankRenée ♥ says

      January 16 at

      If you peel the zucchini before you shred it, no one will even know it’s there!

      Reply
  5. blankChris Collins says

    January 16 at

    I love orzo so much! Definitely trying this out on my next Meat Free Monday 🙂

    Reply
    • blankRenée ♥ says

      January 16 at

      Enjoy! ?

      Reply
  6. blankPaula Montenegro says

    January 16 at

    Such a great way to use orzo! I love it and love this idea of zucchini and cheese. The rice comment never fails to appear, haha! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. blankVeena Azmanov says

    January 16 at

    Looks delicious and cheese is my all time favorite too. I am making it for sure.

    Reply
  8. blankScarlet says

    January 16 at

    I love orzo and those veggie flowers are such a cute addition. My kids are gonna love those!

    Reply
  9. blankJordan | Read. Eat. Repeat. says

    January 17 at

    Now THIS sounds amazing. I’m always trying to sneak in more veggies on my unsuspecting family, and masking the zucchini in pasta and cheddar sounds perfect.

    Reply
    • blankRenée ♥ says

      January 17 at

      If you peel the zuke first, the kids won’t even know it’s there!

      Reply
  10. blankEmily says

    January 17 at

    This really looks good. I enjoy the texture and flavor of orzo.

    Reply
  11. blankJenni LeBaron says

    January 17 at

    What a gorgeous dish! This will be perfect for our Meatless Mondays and I love that this is packed full of veggies!

    Reply

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