A simple side dish which combines orzo, a rice shaped pasta with fresh broccoli, garlic and oil. A perfect side for fish or chicken or enjoy it as a main meal. This was one from the archives that was ((gasp)) missing a photo. As soon as I realized this I whipped this up real quick and updated this post.
I love orzo as a side dish because it's quick and incorporates my vegetables and carbohydrates all into one easy dish. If you can find whole wheat orzo, it's great here too. I make often and everyone loves it, sometimes I even enjoy it alone for lunch by doubling the portion. Enjoy!
Broccoli and Orzo
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 3/4 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 174.1 • Fat: 4.3 • Carbs: 30.2 • Fiber: 3.8 • Protein: 6.0
Ingredients:
- 4.5 oz uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets only (no stems)
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
- 3 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and fresh pepper to taste
Directions:
Trim stems off broccoli, cut into small pieces and season with salt. Steam covered with a little water until cooked, careful not to overcook. When broccoli is cooked, remove from pan and chop into smaller pieces.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in medium pot of salted water as directed for al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup liquid before draining. Drain orzo in a colander and add the oil to the pot. Saute garlic a few minutes until golden, add broccoli, season with salt and mix well. Add orzo and stir to combine all. Add a little reserved liquid as needed so pasta isn't dry. Serve with freshly grated cheese if desired (optional).
Makes 3 cups.



















this looks great! I just tried the WW honey mango barbecue chicken for lunch today, and it had an orzo side dish that this reminded me of. Can't wait to try your recipe with broccoli and spinach.
ReplyDeleteooh, i like your idea of added spinach, i will have to give it a try!
Deletepaulasplate.net
The dish is amazing! I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThis has become one of my go-to side dishes. It's delicious, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am trying this tonight! I can't wait!!!
ReplyDeleteI tried this dish tonight-it is great! The broccoli was falvored perfectly by the garlic!
ReplyDeleteLove this side dish!
ReplyDeleteOoooo I remember when Macaroni Grill used to serve that with their terriyaki salmon. I must make some! Peggy
ReplyDeleteYum this sounds incredible! Plus, I happen to have some broccoli waiting to be used up tonight, YES! Thanks for the great idea Gina!
ReplyDeletehttp://paulasplate.net
Oh wow, this looks fantastic! I could go for some of this orzo!
ReplyDeleteI added a little parmesan cheese to the mix and also fat-free chicken broth instead of the orzo water.
ReplyDeleteI followed this advice, doubled the recipe and added 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. It's incredibly delicious and I'll have it on hand for a few days. So simple and so flavorful. Thanks Gina!
DeleteI did the same thing (prior to seeing this comment) and it was tasty. Dont think I would have liked it otherwise.
DeleteGreat idea with the chicken broth. I always use low sodium chicken broth for my pilaf with orzo and it's amazing!
DeleteI love everything about this dish - the simplicity of it and all of its wonderful flavors!
ReplyDeleteFor those that want a source for whole wheat orzo, I buy Rice Selects Whole Wheat Orzo through Amazon on the Subscribe and Save program. I am a personal chef and only use whole wheat and whole grain products and I am very happy with the Rice Selects brand. Each 1/3 cup dry serving has 195 cal, 1g fat, 39g carb, 9g fiber (yes, 9!) and 7g protein. Thanks Gina for helping so many eat well AND healthy!
ReplyDeleteYes! I buy rice selects at Wild By Nature, but if Amazon carries it, perfect!
DeleteI will try this with my quinoa (gluten-free here) and I'm sure it will be fantastic, too! I'll cook it up in chicken broth and have it with my roasted garlic chicken breasts! Sounds perfect! (Chris in Indiana)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gina, for another great recipe. I like how easy this one is!
ReplyDeleteI love orzo....always use it...even in soups. Adding the broccoli and maybe some cheese would make it great. thank you for all your great recipes.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a risotto but without all the stirring. Thanks Gina
ReplyDeleteCarol in WI
YUM! This looks so good.. can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteI made this for lunch today and it was delicious!!! Thanks for yet another great recipe Gina!
ReplyDeleteLooks Fantastic, I will try tonite!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just bought some orzo today for the first time. This is on my menu for tomorrow night after a quick trip to get some broccoli! Yum!
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want to make this for dinner tonight, but with the 103 degree temps here, I think I'll try one of your cold salads instead. We'll enjoy this one later in the week. Thanks so much, Gina!
ReplyDeleteFresh and simple- perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis is really pretty and simple. I love recipes like this. Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteYum! This looks like it would be so great with a sprinkle of Parmesan. So simple too!
ReplyDeleteI had trader joes chile lime chicken burgers with this so I used a persian lime olive oil in this dish and it was delicious. Perfect for summer. Thank you for a great recipe
ReplyDeleteThanks for reposting with a picture! I bought Orzo yesterday in an effort to lessen the amount of meat eaten each day!
ReplyDeleteIs this meant to be served hot or cold?
ReplyDeleteI mde this for dinner last night. It was to die for!!!!! Honey ate two big servings! I add some chopped grilled chicken breast that I needed to use and some red pepper flakes. I think I could eat this everyday---it is really that good! Thanks Gina!
ReplyDeleteThis looks simple and easy - perfect for a weeknight dinner. I haven't cooked orzo before, but seems straight-forward.
ReplyDeleteI made this recipe with Whole wheat orzo and the taste was flat. Only thing that fixed it was a big mound of parm and salt. If I would make this again, it would need a taste overhaul!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! I am never disappointed when I come to your website looking for a healthy meal to serve my family. Your site is such a great resource and I never leave without finding at least a couple new things to try. Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteThis might be good with couscous too!
ReplyDeleteHow many cups is 4.5 oz of Orzo Pasta?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
According to my scale it's roughly 3/4 cup.
DeleteI have made this twice now. The first time I sauteed some spinach and added it in to the mixture with the broccoli, and it was really good that way, too. I have not needed to use the reserved liquid either time I have made it. I especially like this recipe because it is so simple. Now that you wrote it out for me, I can think about doing it without having to look up the recipe. It is a great side dish when I don't feel like having just straight vegetables. With the diet changes I have made, I started buying the bags of broccoli florets to have on hand for dipping and snacks for the middle of the day, so I have these ingredients on hand all the time.
ReplyDeleteMade this tonight, with some grilled chicken. Tomorrows lunch for me and hubby is set, just chopped up some chicken and lunch is ready, no fuss in the morning! Thanks for a great dish, it's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteSimply love Orzo and combing the veggies is a great way to add to sides together. I need to make more sides and this one looks like a lot of fun to make and play with.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I absolutely fell in love with "Skinny Taste" after seeing some of your recipes on Pinterest. I am on weight watchers and your recipes are AMAZING. Making this orzo tonight for dinner and had your lightened Cajun Chicken Pasta last night, lucky for me my bf didn't woof it all down last night and I get to enjoy it once more for lunch today. :) Thx for all you do!
Delicious!
ReplyDeleteI have made this both with Orzo and Bowtie pasta. Tasted great both times. Definitely a keeper, as it is one of the only ways to get me to eat the tops of broccoli.
Hmm I wonder how this would be with cream of mushroom?
ReplyDeleteThis was unbelievably good! So much more than I expected! The best part was my whole family loved it! The only change I will make is doubling it next time!
ReplyDeleteThis was exactly the kind of side I was looking for!
ReplyDeleteI made it with whole wheat pearl couscous instead of orzo and it was wonderful. I served it with with your lemon feta chicken with oregano. It was so simple and turned out to be a huge success! Thank you!
Yum I LOVED this! I had it for lunch with the Dijon baked chicken and it was a wonderful meal. I used whole wheat orzo and added 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and it was very filling.
ReplyDelete