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Small white bowl containing cheesy one-pot orzo mac and cheese
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5 from 3 votes

One-Pot Cheesy Orzo

Say goodbye to bland boxed mac and cheese. This one-pot recipe for cheesy orzo is just as easy and made with wholesome ingredients.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Balanced, Easy, Family-Friendly, One Pot Recipe
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • medium pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup milk I use 2%
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar I use white cheddar
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt (optional) to taste

Instructions

  • Add orzo, broth, and milk to a medium pot on the stove. Stir, and turn the heat to medium.
  • Cook orzo uncovered for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. It's done when the orzo pasta is cooked al dente, and when most liquid has been absorbed. Add more broth as needed to cook the pasta properly.
  • When the pasta is done cooking, turn off the heat. Add butter, cheese, and black pepper, and stir until smooth and combined. Taste, and add salt if needed. For a saucier cheesy orzo, stir in an extra splash of broth.
  • Serve with additional black pepper, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 469IU | Calcium: 286mg | Iron: 1mg