Creamy Garlic Turkey Broccoli Orzo (Print)

Savory ground turkey and tender orzo pasta in a rich garlic cream sauce with fresh broccoli florets.

# Ingredients:

→ Proteins

01 - 1.1 lbs ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium head broccoli, cut into small florets
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

05 - 9 oz orzo pasta

→ Dairy

06 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
10 - 1/2 cup milk

→ Herbs & Spices

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Other

15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - Zest of 1 lemon, optional for garnish
17 - Extra Parmesan for serving

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in turkey mince, season with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and just cooked through, about 5–6 minutes.
04 - Add orzo to the pan, stirring to coat in the aromatics and turkey fat for 1 minute.
05 - Pour in broth and milk. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add broccoli florets, stir, and cover again. Cook for another 5–6 minutes, until orzo is al dente and broccoli is just tender.
07 - Pour in heavy cream and Parmesan. Stir until the sauce is creamy and coats the orzo. Adjust seasoning and add red pepper flakes if using.
08 - Remove from heat. Let rest for 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve hot, garnished with lemon zest and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce clings to every grain of orzo like it was made for each other, and somehow makes even skeptical eaters finish their broccoli without complaint.
  • Ground turkey keeps things lean and budget-friendly while the heavy cream ensures nobody feels like they're eating diet food.
  • Forty minutes total means you can have dinner on the table before the evening spirals into chaos.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the stove once you add the broccoli—it goes from perfectly tender to mushy in what feels like thirty seconds if you're not paying attention.
  • The sauce will seem a little loose right after you add the cream, but it thickens as it cools slightly, so resist the urge to add flour or cornstarch.
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh and add it off the heat so it melts smoothly instead of clumping—pre-grated cheese has potato starch in it that interferes with the sauce becoming silky.
  • Taste the broth before you pour it in; if it's aggressively salty, use half broth and half water to give yourself control over the final seasoning.
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