Creamy Orzo with Peas and Ricotta (Kid-Friendly Mac & Cheese Alternative)

A hearty, protein-heavy pasta dish that gets on the table in under 20 minutes and isn’t mac and cheese? This creamy orzo with peats and whipped ricotta does it. Wait, and it’s got vegetables, too? Dinnertime gold. Think all the creamy textures and rich tastes of the blue box stuff but homemade, whipped with enough ricotta and stuffed with enough peas to keep the grown-ups happy as well. Make it as a side dish; make it the main dish by adding chunks of canned tuna or pieces of chicken. It makes a meal.

Ingredients Overview

This kid-friendly orzo with peas and ricotta brings together simple pantry staples into a creamy, comforting dish with protein and vegetables. Orzo cooks right in the broth with lemon zest for bright flavor, then gets whipped with ricotta and peas for a texture even picky eaters will love.

Steps Summary

1. Heat your peas (if frozen) or drain and rinse (if canned).
2. Bring broth and lemon zest to a boil, add orzo, then simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender (about 10–12 minutes).
3. Turn off the heat and stir in ricotta, peas, dill, oregano, and lemon juice until creamy and combined.
4. Serve warm as a side or main.

FAQ

What’s the best broth to use?
Use a low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth so the dish stays flavorful without being too salty for toddlers. You can also dilute regular broth with water if needed.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — swap the ricotta for a dairy-free soft cheese or a mild plant-based alternative, and use olive oil for richness.

How can I add more protein?
Stir in flaked cooked chicken, canned tuna, or small cubes of mild cheese right before serving.

Can I use other pastas instead of orzo?
Yes — small pastas like pastina, tiny shells, or even mini elbows work, but adjust the cooking time according to the package.

Recipe Links

What to Serve With Creamy Orzo with Peas and Ricotta

• How to Cook Chicken for Toddlers 101 — A simple, tender chicken to pair with or add to creamy orzo.
• Toddler Steak — A kid-friendly steak that would go great with this orzo.
• Best Salmon — Easy salmon that’s a great protein boost alongside pasta.

More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This

• How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese a Vegetable — A clever upgrade to boxed mac with sneaky veggies.
• How To Make Pasta for Infants and Toddlers (Pastina) — a classic pastina recipe perfectly aligned with your orzo dish.
• Upgrade Your Buttered Noodles For The Best Toddler Pasta — your elevated buttered noodles recipe.

Creamy Orzo with Peas and Ricotta (Kid-Friendly Mac & Cheese Alternative)

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Author: Brad Cooking Method: Simmering Cuisine: Greek Meal(s): Veggies and Sides Recipe Keys: Easy to Make Good for Picky Eaters Vegetarian Meals

Prep Time 3 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 18 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 6 Calories: 165

Description

This creamy orzo with peas and ricotta is a fast, protein-rich dinner that hits the same comfort notes as mac and cheese—without the box. Ready in under 20 minutes, it works as a side or a simple main for kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

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Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• ²⁄₃ cups Peas (feel free to add more or less depending on how your child takes to)
• 1 cups Orzo (can you rice or couscous, too; but cooking time will vary)
• ¹⁄₃ cups Ricotta (marscarpone works fine, too)
• 1 small Lemon
• 1 tsp Dill seeds
• 1 tsp Oregano (dried)

Instructions

Prep, Cook, and Assemble

1. If frozen, heat peas for the minimum amount of time recommended on the packaging; if canned, drain and rinse peas.
2. Heat broth and the zest of the lemon in a small pot; once boiling, add orzo and reduce boil to a simmer. Cook until all liquid has evaporated and the orzo is tender, roughly 10-12 minutes. Turn off heat but keep orzo in pot.
3. Add in ricotta, peas, dill, oregano, and the juice of half a lemon; stir vigorously.

Serve

1. Serve this just as you would mac and cheese: either as a side with whatever protein you had planned, or as the main dish; you can. If your child is a mac and cheese person, or if he/she may be skeptical of the dish, up the ricotta to a half cup to make extra creamy. 

Adapt

1. A greek version of this dish, known as spanakorizo, requires but one more step to get similarly delicious results. In a pot, wilt a cup of chopped spinach and a spoonful of chopped garlic in a bit of oil; once soft, add in broth and zest, bring to a boil, and cook orzo–or rice–as you do in the above recipe. Instead of ricotta, stir in chunks of feta once your grain is done cooking.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Serving Size 1 small bowl

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 165kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 5g8%

Total Carbohydrate 24g8%

Protein 7g15%

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Vitamin A 900 IU

Vitamin C 6 mg

Calcium 90 mg

Iron 1.5 mg

Phosphorus 120 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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