Are you looking for a quick, healthy supper that everyone in the family will like, or a simple approach to convince your picky toddler to eat their vegetables?
This creamy Veggie Orzo recipe is great for hectic weeknights and is safe for toddlers. This recipe is easy to make, healthy, and ready in only 20 minutes. It has soft, rice-shaped pasta and lots of colorful vegetables. This creamy vegetable orzo is perfect for picky eaters who don’t like vegetables or for when you need a healthy supper for the whole family in one pot. It’s easy to make ahead of time, can be used in a lot of different ways, and is soft enough for younger toddlers. This makes it a great dinner for parents who want healthy, simple meals for their toddlers.
Why Veggie Orzo is Good for Kids and Families
Veggie Boost:
This cheesy orzo has broccoli and carrots hidden in it, so your toddler will get a lot of fiber, vitamin C, and other important nutrients. The finely chopped or shredded vegetables mix in perfectly with the meal, giving it a soft texture and mild flavor that picky eaters will like.
Creamy Comfort:
The cream cheese and parmesan cheese melt into the orzo to make a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes like comfort food but is still full of healthy nutrients. It’s creamy but not too heavy, which is great for kids who want rich, recognizable flavors.
Fast and Easy:
This one-pot meal takes less than 30 minutes to make and requires very little prep and cleaning. It’s a great way to get food on the table quickly, fill you up, and get your toddler’s approval on busy weeknights.
You can change this dish to suit your tastes by using additional soft, quick-cooking veggies like peas, zucchini, or spinach. You may even add cooked chicken, beans, or more cheese to the mix to make it more protein-rich.
Not just for toddlers: This is a full supper that the whole family may enjoy. You don’t have to make separate dinners; just give it to the kids as a main dish and the parents as a side dish.
This easy veggie orzo is a quick, healthy lunch with soft pasta and tender veggies. It’s colorful, cozy, and kid-friendly!
15 minutes to be ready
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Things you need
- 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil
- 1 cup of small pieces of broccoli florets
- 1 cup of finely shredded carrots
- 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic
- 1 cup of orzo
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 ounce of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
S—Metric
How to do it
- Cut the broccoli florets into small pieces and shred the carrots very finely so that they cook rapidly and mix in well with the dish.
- Put olive oil or butter in a medium pot and heat it over medium heat. Put in the minced garlic, shredded carrots, and chopped broccoli. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to smell good and get a little softer.
- Put the orzo and chicken broth in the pot. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium-high and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir every now and again so it doesn’t stick. When the orzo is done cooking, it should have soaked up most of the chicken stock. The orzo should soak up most of the chicken broth by the time it is done cooking.
- When the orzo is soft and most of the broth has been absorbed, add the cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the dish is creamy. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the dish is smooth.
- Let the Veggie Orzo cool down a bit before giving it to your kid. It tastes great on its own, but you can also add grilled chicken or fish to it for extra protein. Let the vegetarian pasta cool down a bit before you give it to your kid. You can eat it as is, or you can add grilled chicken or fish to it for more protein.
How to Keep Leftover Veggie Orzo
You can keep leftover orzo in a container that won’t let air in for up to three days. You may reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. To make it creamy again, add a little chicken stock or milk. Put parts in a container that can go in the freezer for up to two months for longer storage. Put it in the fridge overnight to thaw, then heat it up as needed.
Changes
- Orzo: If you don’t have orzo, you can use little pasta forms like ditalini, pastina, or couscous instead. If you want to avoid gluten, you can use quinoa or gluten-free orzo.
- Vegetables: This recipe is quite adaptable; you may use any vegetables your child likes. Zucchini, spinach, sweet corn, or finely chopped broccoli all work well.
- Parmesan cheese gives a savory flavor, but you may also use mozzarella, shredded cheddar, or even a dairy-free cheese if you need to.
- For more taste, use low-sodium chicken or veggie broth. Water works in a pinch, but you might want to add a little salt or a mix of spices to make it taste better.
- Instead of butter, you may use olive oil or avocado oil to make it dairy-free. If you want a very light meal, you can leave it out completely.
Notes
- Cut the vegetables into little pieces: For the best texture for toddlers, cut or shred the vegetables very small so they mix in well with the orzo.
- Add protein and make it more filling by stirring in cooked chicken, ground turkey, beans, or more cheese.
- No dairy? If you want a dairy-free version, use plant-based cream cheese instead of parmesan or nutritional yeast.
- No gluten? Switch out orzo for certified gluten-free orzo, quinoa, or small gluten-free pasta shapes.
- Storage: You may keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days or freeze them in portions for up to two months. To keep it creamy, add a little broth or milk when you boil it up again.
Questions That Come Up Often
Is it safe for newborns and toddlers to eat orzo?
Yes, orzo is an excellent pasta for kids because it is little and soft. Just make sure to sauté the veggies until they are soft and slice or mash any big parts for the kids.
Can I put more protein in this orzo meal for toddlers?
Yes, of course! Add cooked chicken, turkey, ground beef, or even white beans or lentils to make this a more full dinner for toddlers.
How can I make this cheesy veggie orzo without dairy?
You can add a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt or a splash of plant-based milk to make it creamy without adding dairy or cheese.
Is it possible to make this nutritious veggie orzo gluten-free?
You can simply make this dish gluten-free by using a certified gluten-free orzo brand instead of ordinary orzo, or by using small gluten-free pasta like quinoa, rice, or gluten-free couscous. Just make sure to look at the labels on all the other ingredients, such cheese and broth, to make sure they are also certified gluten-free.
Food
Calories: 406kcal, Carbs: 46g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 921mg, Potassium: 405mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 7571IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 255mg, Iron: 1mg
The nutrition information is calculated automatically, thus it should only be used as a rough guide.