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Test Kitchen Approved

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo Casserole

VegetarianStove-TopOven

Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

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About

This little number has just been waiting in the wings to be discovered. Don't go another minute without trying this super simple but completely elegant side dish of a treasure we call Cheesy Broccoli Orzo Casserole! The exact combination of delicate orzo, tender broccoli, and this amazingly delicious cheesy combo will leave you wondering where this has been all your life! Don't delay any longer, you HAVE to experience Cheesy Broccoli Orzo Casserole for your next solo chicken dinner. Find the classy dish you've been looking for. You and that lonely bird will be amazed!

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon, melted, plus more, for greasing a baking dish, divided
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 6 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Havarti cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan, grated
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2 -Butter an 8-inch square baking dish.

Step 3 -In a large pot of generously salted, boiling water, cook the pasta, about 5 minutes.

Step 4 -Add the broccoli to the pasta and cook until the broccoli is bright green, about 1 minute. Drain the pasta mixture.

Step 5 -In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add 3 tablespoons of the butter and the flour and cook, whisking well, about 1 minute.

Step 6 -Add the onions and the garlic to the flour mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 7 -Whisk the milk into the onion mixture, bring it to a low boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, about 5 minutes.

Step 8 -Turn the stovetop heat off and leave the pot on the burner.

Step 9 -Add 1 cup of the Havarti cheese, the sour cream, 2 tablespoons of the parmesan cheese, the salt, and the ground black pepper to the onion mixture and stir until it is well combined.

Step 10 -Gently fold the pasta mixture into the cheese mixture.

Step 11 -Evenly spread the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 12 -Evenly sprinkle the pasta mixture with the remaining Havarti cheese and the remaining parmesan cheese.

Step 13 -In a small bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, and the salt and mix well.

Step 14 -Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the pasta mixture.

Step 15 -Bake the casserole until it is brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Step 16 -Plate and serve.

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