By: Merritt

Rain or shine nothing tastes better than a bowl of pasta. If you have never had orzo pasta before, this creamy tomato orzo dish is going to be one of the coziest and most addicting dishes you will make. A mix between a classic tomato sauce, a one pan meal, and something more, this orzo dish checks all the boxes for those cold nights or breezy summer evenings. The orzo is toasted in butter before being cooked in stock and tomato sauce with aromatics, creating a deep but surprisingly easy dish to make.

This pasta can be served fresh, frozen for later, or made double for a great meal prep option. I love to pair to this dish with my favorite protein, a bright salad, and some extra cheese. I know you will love how easy and delicious this creamy tomato orzo is and I hope it becomes a regular addition to your kitchen. It can be hard to find staple meals that do not get old, but this pasta dish will never disappoint.

Notes and Tips For Creamy Tomato Orzo

• This dish can easily be doubled if you are feeding more people or simply want to store some away for later. I recommend a larger, shallower pan, rather than a taller one. The bottom may burn before the top part has a chance to cook if the orzo does not have enough room to spread out. The shape of the pan may change the amount of stock needed. Be sure to make sure the orzo is fully covered with about 1/4” extra.

• I use vegetable stock for this recipe, it has great flavor and pairs will with the tomato sauce. Feel free to use any type of stock you have on hand, however. The Better Than Bouillon stock concentrate is a lovely pantry ingredient to keep on hand for dishes like these. I usually make my stock using this concentrate since its flavorful, readily available, and super tasty.

• Orzo can be toasted in any oil. Be sure to not let the pan get too hot or your oil may smoke and taste acidic. I prefer butter as it will toast along with the orzo in the pan.

• This dish is great for leftover as the flavors actually taste better after they have sat and melded for a bit. I recommend letting this dish cool for 5-10 minutes after you done cooking it, to allow for some of that melding to happen. You can even make this the day before and reheat it with a little stock right before serving.

Common Questions For Tomato Orzo

What is in Creamy Tomato Orzo?

• Creamy tomato orzo is my adult spaghetti-o’s recipe that I have been making for a long time. It is creamy from the starchy nature of orzo and from the cheese added in once the orzo is cooked. The tomato sauce thickens with these two ingredients to make a delicious and creamy tomato sauce that coats and melds with the orzo.

• Love orzo? Check out my pesto orzo salad that is so good!

What Can To Serve With Creamy Tomato Orzo?

• This dish is versatile and can go with many things. Being a tomato based pasta, it is best paired with ground meat like beef, turkey or chicken. You can also toss in spinach that will wilt down and be hardly noticeable! Other easy add ins are any herbs you have on hand. Fresh basil, rosemary, or oregano are great options for make a super flavorful meal! I have also listed some of my favorite dishes below that I love to pair with this orzo dish.

• Beet and Feta Salad is a spinach salad that is hardy and goes great with these flavors.

• Spinach and arugula salad is another salad recipe that pairs with pasta but is elevated in flavors and dressing

• Burger Bowls are my favorite way to meal prep. Try switching out the rice for this tomato orzo for your burger bowl and see how delicious the week can be!

Can Tomato Orzo Be Frozen?

• Yes! You can definitely freeze this dish for later use. Let the cooked orzo cool and then freeze in freezer bags, vacuum sealed bags, or an airtight container. Remove 1 day prior to cooking and reheat on the stove with a little water!

• This dish will also last for about 1 week in the fridge, making it a great meal prep option for your week.

What Does Toasting Orzo Do?

• When orzo is toasted using butter or oil, it adds wonderful depth of flavor to your dish. Similar to when bread is toasted, or butter is browned, the toasting process makes your dish taste that much better! The butter will also brown and add additional toasted flavor.

• The toasting step can be skipped if you are in a hurry, but I highly recommend trying it if you do have the time.

Is Orzo Gluten Free?

• Though traditional orzo is not gluten, you can find great gluten free options at most groceries stores. Orzo is usually made from wheat, but gluten free options that I have found and tried work well too.

Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Orzo

How To Make Creamy Tomato Orzo

1. Toast the Orzo

   1. To a shallow pan or small pot, add the butter.

   2. When melted and just starting to bubble, add the orzo and the shallot.

   3. Stirring often to coat the orzo in butter, saute for 2-3 minutes.

   4. Add the garlic and stir to combine

   5. Allow the orzo to toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes depending on pan size.

2. Simmer the Orzo

   1. To the orzo, add the vegetable stock and tomato sauce

   2. Stir to incorporate. Make sure the orzo has about 1/4 inch of liquid above it.

   3. Turn the heat to low, and cover with a lid.

   4. Stirring occasionally, allow to cook until cooked but not soggy about 12 minutes. If sticking has occurred in the pan, stir in a little extra veggie stock to lift the stuck bits from the bottom.

   5. Remove from the heat and stir in the baby tomatoes. Allow the orzo to rest with a lid on for about 10 minutes. This step completes the flavors and melds the flavors.

3. Serve and Enjoy

   1. Mix in the parmesan cheese to taste

   2. Serve with extra cheese, tomatoes, salt, and pepper!