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–+ servings
Veggie Orzo

Creamy Veggie Orzo: Quick, Cozy, Toddler-Friendly Delight

A quick and creamy veggie orzo that combines hidden vegetables and delicious flavors, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Veggie Base
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil For a lighter dish, use butter or dairy-free oil.
  • 1 cup Broccoli Chopped; spinach or peas are great substitutes.
  • 1 cup Carrots Finely shredded; zucchini can replace it.
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Minced; powdered garlic can be used if fresh isn’t available.
For the Pasta
  • 1 cup Orzo Small pasta shapes like ditalini or gluten-free orzo work too.
For the Broth
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth Opt for vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
For Creaminess
  • 1 ounce Cream Cheese Substitute with plant-based cream cheese for a dairy-free option.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast can be used for a dairy-free alternative.

Equipment

  • medium pot

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Finely chop 1 cup of broccoli and shred 1 cup of carrots. Set them aside.
  2. In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  3. Pour in 1 cup of orzo and 2 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until orzo is tender and broth is mostly absorbed.
  4. Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 ounce of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until melted, creating a rich, creamy texture. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5000IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Chop vegetables finely for a toddler-friendly consistency. Add proteins if desired. Keep an eye on broth absorption during cooking. Restore creaminess with broth or milk when reheating leftovers.

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