Creamy Garlic Turkey Broccoli Orzo (Printable)

Tender turkey and broccoli orzo in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

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

→ Pasta & Dairy

05 - 9 ounces orzo pasta
06 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 3/4 cup whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese

→ Pantry

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Extra parmesan cheese

# How To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add turkey and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
02 - Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add broccoli florets, dried thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.
04 - Stir in orzo and pour in chicken broth and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low.
05 - Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is al dente and broccoli is tender.
06 - Stir in cream cheese and parmesan until melted and sauce becomes creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
08 - Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum time with the people you're cooking for instead of scrubbing dishes.
  • The sauce is silky without being heavy—that cream cheese trick keeps it rich while the broth keeps it bright and balanced.
  • Tender turkey mince cooks faster than chicken breasts, so you're genuinely eating dinner in under an hour even on a chaotic day.
02 -
  • If your sauce seems thin after the orzo finishes cooking, resist the urge to panic—letting it sit for those 2 to 3 minutes truly makes a difference as the starch settles.
  • The cream cheese must be added off the heat because high heat can cause it to break and separate, leaving you with gritty pockets instead of silky sauce.
03 -
  • Grating your parmesan fresh from a wedge makes a noticeable difference in the sauce's smoothness—pre-grated versions contain anti-caking agents that can make everything slightly grainy.
  • Don't skip the resting period at the end, even though you're hungry and the dish looks done—those two minutes allow the starch in the orzo to hydrate and thicken the sauce naturally.
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