Broccoli and Orzo
This easy-to-make side dish features orzo, a pasta that resembles rice, tossed with vibrant broccoli, aromatic garlic, and olive oil. It pairs wonderfully with grilled fish or chicken, but can also stand alone as a satisfying main course.
Get the Calorie Master app
Download on the App Store for the best experience.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets only
- salt and fresh pepper to taste
- 3 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4.5 oz uncooked orzo pasta
- 4 cloves garlic
Instructions
- 1
Remove the stems from the broccoli and chop the florets into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with salt for seasoning.
- 2
In a pot, steam the broccoli with a small amount of water, keeping it covered until tender, being cautious not to overcook. Once the broccoli reaches the desired doneness, take it out of the pot and finely chop it.
- 3
At the same time, bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to package instructions until it’s al dente.
- 4
Before draining the pasta, set aside approximately 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- 5
Drain the orzo in a colander, then return it to the pot and drizzle in the olive oil.
- 6
Sauté the minced garlic for a few minutes until it turns golden brown, then add the chopped broccoli, season with salt, and mix everything together thoroughly.
- 7
Incorporate the orzo into the mixture and stir well to blend all the ingredients. If needed, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to ensure the dish remains moist.
- 8
If desired, serve topped with freshly grated cheese (optional).