Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

Name: Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegan butter; 1 small onion; 3 cloves garlic; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 1 1/4 cups orzo; 2 cups water (or low-sodium broth); 3 cups broccoli florets (chopped small); 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 cup plant-based milk ((like soy or oat milk)); 1 1/2 cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese; 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (optional)

by Monica Davis on October 24, 2026 0 comments

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This vegan broccoli cheddar orzo is a quick, easy 1-pot meal the whole family will love. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this dish comes together in about 20 minutes. If you like broccoli cheddar soup, you will love it turned into a heartier pasta dish!

A top view of vegan broccoli cheddar orzo in a blue skillet.

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Why make this recipe

You can make this vegan broccoli cheddar orzo in 1 pot in about 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for an easy weeknight meal. This simple orzo dish is packed with broccoli in a creamy, cheesy, dairy-free sauce that will have your family coming back for more.

Ingredients and substitutions

Vegan Butter – You can also swap this for olive oil or other neutral-flavored oil.
A Small Onion – or swap this out for shallots.
Garlic – fresh garlic tastes best, but you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Salt – for flavor.
Carrot – optional, but it adds some color, nutrition, and slight sweetness to the dish.
Orzo – You can also use Acini di Pepe pasta if you don’t have orzo.
Water or Vegetable Broth – for the correct consistency.
Broccoli – You will want small pieces of chopped broccoli florets.
Dijon Mustard – this is optional, but recommended since it adds a lot of flavor.
Plant-based Milk (like soy or oat milk) – creamy milk; soy or oat milk works best.
Vegan Cheddar Cheese – use your favorite brand of vegan cheddar shreds. (I like Violife cheddar) You can also use my homemade vegan cheddar recipe.
Black pepper and/or red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Helpful tools

A large frying pan or pot big enough to hold at least 8 cups of liquid.

How to make vegan broccoli cheddar orzo

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Step 1 – Melt some vegan butter in the bottom of a large frying pan. Add a diced onion, minced garlic, and sprinkle with salt. Saute over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Step 2 – Add shredded carrots and orzo pasta, and stir well.

Onion and carrots cooking in a skillet to make broccoli cheddar orzo.

Orzo added to the onions and carrots in a skillet.

Step 3 – Pour in water (or low-sodium vegetable broth) and stir well, then bring to a slow boil.

Vegan chicken broth added to the onions, carrots, and orzo in a skillet.

Small broccoli florets added to orzo in a skillet.

Step 4 – Add chopped broccoli florets and stir well, then simmer until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Plant-based milk added to the broccoli and orzo in a skillet.

Vegan cheddar shreds added to the broccoli and orzo.

Step 5 – Turn the heat to low and add the Dijon mustard, plant-based milk, and vegan cheddar. Stir until the cheese melts and forms a smooth, cheesy sauce. Add salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Vegan broccoli cheddar orzo in a blue skillet.

If your family loves broccoli as much as mine does, be sure to try my vegan cream of broccoli soup, broccoli rice skillet, bang bang broccoli, deep-fried broccoli, or my vegan beef and broccoli recipes!

Pro Tips

Stir frequently and don’t walk away from the orzo while cooking.
Add the broccoli earlier if you want it softer, or later if you want it crunchier.
The size of the broccoli pieces will also determine how fast they cook.
To hide the veggies more and make it more kid-friendly, chop the carrots and broccoli in a food processor until very small.

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate: This vegan broccoli cheddar orzo will keep well in the fridge for 3 – 5 days in an airtight container.

Freeze: This orzo dish freezes well and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat the broccoli orzo in the microwave for about 3 minutes or add a few tablespoons of water and reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop.