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Orzo Broccoli Pasta

This easy Orzo Broccoli Pasta is a kid-friendly side dish that combines rice-shaped orzo pasta with fresh broccoli, garlic, and olive oil.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4.5 oz uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets no stems
  • 4 cloves garlic smashed and finely chopped
  • 3 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Trim stems off broccoli, cut into small pieces and season with salt.
  2. Steam broccoli covered with a little water until cooked, careful not to overcook. When broccoli is cooked, remove from pan and chop into smaller pieces.
  3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a medium pot of salted water as directed for al dente.
  4. Reserve about 0.5 cup of the pasta cooking liquid before draining.
  5. Drain orzo in a colander and set aside. Add the olive oil to the pot.
  6. Sauté garlic for a few minutes until golden, then add the chopped broccoli, season with salt, and mix well.
  7. Add the drained orzo to the pot and stir to combine all ingredients. Add a little reserved liquid as needed so the pasta isn't dry.
  8. Serve with freshly grated cheese if desired (optional).

Notes

This simple side dish combines orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, with fresh broccoli, garlic, and oil. It's a perfect accompaniment for fish or chicken, or can be enjoyed as a light main meal.