Turkey and Broccoli Casserole with Orzo

Casserole with crunchy cracker top, broccoli and cheese. Glass baking dish, wooden tabletop and ocean-themed oven mitt and potholder.

There’s nothing quite as easy as a simple casserole when you’ve already got most of the ingredients ready to go. Just stir things together, cook a while, top with some crumbled crackers and shredded cheese and cook a little more until the topping is melty-crispy. One dish to clean, that’s it! 

This is a great post-Thanksgiving recipe, quick and satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chicken, turkey or veggie broth 
  • 2 10.5-oz cans condensed cream of chicken soup 
  • 1 tsp dried parsley flakes 
  • ½ tsp dried rosemary 
  • ½ tsp dried thyme 
  • ½ tsp garlic powder 
  • ½ tsp onion powder 
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, cut bite-sized or smaller 
  • 2 cups cooked shredded or diced turkey 
  • 1 16-oz package uncooked orzo 
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon zest 
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese – cheddar or Jack or similar 
  • 2 sleeves butter crackers, Field Day Golden Round or Ritz 
  • 3 Tbsp melted butter, plus a little more to grease baking dish 
  • Salt and Pepper to taste 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Grease a 9” x 13” baking dish. 
  2. To baking dish, add broth, soups, parsley flakes, rosemary, thyme, garlic and onion powders and lemon zest. Whisk/stir to thoroughly combine.  
  3. Stir in broccoli, turkey and uncooked orzo. 
  4. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine crushed crackers, 3 Tbsp melted butter and shredded cheese in a bowl. 
  5. Uncover and stir gently with a fork. Check doneness of orzo, ideally it’ll be al dente – firm but with a tender bite. If still too hard, cover and bake a few minutes more until it reaches the desired doneness.  
  6. Stir in lemon juice, sprinkle on cracker-cheese topping mixture and bake uncovered for about 7 more minutes. Cheese should be melted and orzo tender. Optional: Place under broiler for 1-2 minutes for a more browned top, keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.