Creamy Tomato Orzo

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This creamy tomato orzo with garlic, basil, and blistered tomatoes is a simple one-pot meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: Main Course, Pasta and Rice

Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 428kcal

Author: Adina

Tomatoes: Heat the oil in a pan. Add the whole cherry or grape tomatoes and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until they are blistered and softened. Crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon so that they can release their juices and build the sauce.
1 tablespoon olive oil + 1 lb tomatoes
Add the minced garlic and seasoning, then stir well to combine.
2 large garlic cloves + 1 teaspoon basil + 1 teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon onion powder + ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Simmer the tomato orzo: Add the orzo, stock, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes or until the orzo is cooked to your liking and most of the stock has been absorbed - check it as it cooks (Note 4).
1¾ cup orzo + 2 cups vegetable stock + fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Add Parmesan, most of the torn basil leaves, and, if needed, adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with the remaining basil leaves and serve.
2 tablespoons Parmesan + 10-12 leaves fresh basil + fine sea salt and ground black pepper

Tomatoes: Use small tomatoes, like cherry or grape tomatoes, and leave them whole.
Orzo: I recommend weighing the orzo. When measuring 1 cup of uncooked orzo myself, I found it yields about 200 g. However, when searching online, you will find that the results can vary significantly from one site to another.
Cheese: I often add some mozzarella to the dish; it adds creaminess and gets nice and stretchy. For a vegan dish, you can replace the Parmesan with 2-3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
Cooking time: The cooking time for orzo can vary based on the brand and size of the pasta. Be sure to follow the package instructions and adjust the time if needed. Always check that the orzo is fully cooked.