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    Home » Recipes » 30-Minute Vegetarian Recipes

    Published: Nov 2, 2021 · Modified: Dec 21, 2021 by Petra · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Orzo Mac and Cheese

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This creamy Orzo Mac and Cheese packs a ton of flavor in every bite! It's savory, comforting, and so easy to make. The best part is that it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

    A blue bowl filled with orzo mac and cheese.

    Mac and cheese is a big crowd-pleaser and making it with orzo takes it on a whole another level. Due to the orzo's small shape, this dish has a risotto-like texture and turns out so cheesy and creamy.

    Serve it at a family dinner alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal that everyone will enjoy!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Notes
    • How to make it
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • More Easy Pasta Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients Notes

    • Orzo: If you can't find orzo in your regular grocery store, try going to a local Greek store, they probably have it there. And if not, you can make this recipe with any type of short pasta.
    • Milk: You can use any type here, even plant-based milk. We like to use soy or almond milk.
    Gathered ingredients for making orzo mac and cheese

    How to make it

    First, add orzo to boiling water and cook until al dente. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. In the meantime, start with the cheese sauce.

    Then, make the roux. Over medium-low heat melt your butter. Once bubbling, add the flour and whisk until it dissolves.

    Whisking butter and flour in a cast iron skillet to make roux.

    Next, make the bechamel sauce. Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly to prevent any clumps from forming. Then, add dijon mustard, and spices and mix again.

    Bechamel sauce in a black cast iron skillet.

    Add your shredded cheese and stir with a spatula until it melts.

    Adding shredded cheese to the bechamel sauce to make cheese sauce.

    Add the cooked orzo and stir until everything is well coated. Taste and season with some more salt and black pepper if needed. That's it! Serve right away.

    Stirring mac and cheese with a wooden spoon in a cast iron skillet.

    Expert Tips

    • When making the roux, keep it to low heat. This is an essential part of the recipe. When melting the butter, it should bubble gently and should not go brown.
    • Switch up the cheese. The best thing about this dish is that you can make it different every time by switching up the cheese. You can go for a milder flavor with something like mozzarella or for a stronger taste with a sharp cheese like hard cheddar.
    • Add vegetables. Peas, broccoli and even asparagus can be great here! You can cook them with the pasta, or prepare them separately and add them on the side.

    FAQ

    Which are the best types of cheese to use?

    The main requirement here is for the cheese to melt well. You can use Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Havarti, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Fontina, and Brie (without the white part). You can also do a combination of hard and soft cheeses for even more flavor (e.g Parmesan + Havarti).

    How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?

    Make sure that you have a good ratio between pasta and cheese sauce. If you have too much pasta, it may turn out dry. Just follow our instructions and you'll be fine!

    How to make this recipe vegan?

    You can easily replace the butter and cheese with vegan alternatives. Make sure to choose a vegan cheese that melts well. When it comes to the milk, we suggest using soy or almond milk.

    Can you freeze leftovers?

    Yes, you can! Let any leftovers cool to room temperature then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

    Orzo mac and cheese served in a blue bowl and topped with basil leaves.

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

    Vegan Baked Spaghetti

    Healthy Vodka Sauce Pasta

    Cashew Alfredo Fettucine with Kimchi

    15-Minute Pesto Pasta

    📖 Recipe

    Orzo Mac and Cheese Recipe

    This creamy Orzo Mac and Cheese packs a ton of flavor in every bite! It's savory, comforting, and so easy to make. The best part is that it comes together in less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Side
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Author: Petra
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Stovetop

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups orzo or small-shaped gluten-free pasta if needed
    • 3 tablespoon butter*
    • 4 tablespoon flour rice flour to make it gluten-free
    • 2 cups milk*
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar*
    • 1 cup shredded smoked gouda
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Instructions

    Cook orzo

    • Cook your orzo in boiling salted water until al dente, following the packaging instructions. In the meantime, make the sauce.

    Roux

    • Into a medium pot or a cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Once it starts to gently bubble, add the flour and whisk until a paste is formed. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, bubbling gently.

    Cheese sauce

    • Gradually add the milk while mixing constantly to prevent clumps from forming. Add in the Dijon mustard (optional), ground nutmeg (optional), garlic powder (optional), salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
    • Add the shredded cheese and use a spatula to stir until it melts.
    • Add the cooked orzo and stir until it's well coated. At this point, you can taste and adjust the flavor if needed, maybe adding more salt or black pepper if desired. Serve right away!

    Notes

    Storage Instructions
    Fridge: Let your leftovers cool to room temperature. Then, transfer to a container and cover with a lid. Save in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    Freezer: Let your leftovers cool to room temperature. Then, transfer to a container and cover with a lid. Freeze for 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
    To reheat
    Stovetop: Add mac and cheese to a small pot with a splash of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until warmed through.
    Microwave: Add your mac and cheese to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
    To make this recipe vegan, use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese.
    *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients, and with olive oil.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 427kcal

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

    More 30-Minute Vegetarian Recipes

    • Tomato orzo in a white Dutch oven.
      Tomato Orzo with Chickpeas and Spinach (No Chop)
    • A white plate with saffron pasta topped with saffron petals.
      Creamy Saffron Pasta
    • Sweet potato soup served in a blue bowl, placed on a round wooden chopping board.
      Carrot Sweet Potato Soup
    • Pumpkin tomato soup served in a bowl and topped with cream, olive oil and fresh basil.
      Simple Pumpkin Tomato Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley says

      March 01, 2023 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing! I changed up the cheese to a cheddar, chipotle Gouda and 3 pepper Colby cheese, added a little more garlic powder and wow! My husband and guests loved it! I’ve made this three times now in the past month. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Martin says

      November 18, 2021 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      This was so good!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        November 18, 2021 at 11:25 am

        Yay, so happy you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Stoyan says

      November 18, 2021 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      I tried it and it's so damn tasty! Great one! 👏

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        November 18, 2021 at 11:08 am

        Glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Boris Sokachev says

      November 04, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      This tastes like childhood but with an Italian twist! And its easy peasy lemon cheesy! Bravo!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        November 05, 2021 at 8:52 am

        Yay, so happy you like it!

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Petra!

    I'm a professional chef and a certified nutritionist! Sunglow Kitchen is all about easy vegan and vegetarian recipes that anyone can make at home, even if you're a beginner. Learn more about me here!

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