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20 Minute One Pot Tomato Orzo

When you’re short on time and need to get something delicious and healthy on the table, our 20 Minute One Pot Tomato Orzo recipe is it! This vegetarian orzo recipe dirties only one dish and is packed full of fresh tomatoes and cheese for a flavorful fast dinner or side.

a pan with cooked orzo, tomatoes, parsley, and a wooden spoon.

The start of the school year means the start of the crazy busy weekdays that leave little time in the evening to get dinner on the table and also even less time to clean up after. That’s why we created our 20 Minute One Pot Tomato Orzo, an easy no-fuss dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes and dirties only one dish! It’s a vegetarian orzo recipe that combines simple ingredients that all pack so much flavor.

Ingredients Needed

stock, a bowl of tomatoes, orzo, cheese, onion, garlic, slices, vinegar, and parsley.
  • Orzo – We just love this little rice-shaped pasta!
  • Tomatoes – We used romas for this one because they have fewer seeds and less juice, although we’ve made it with on the vine and heirlooms too – all delicious!
  • Garlic and Onion – A classic flavor combo that is perfect with tomatoes!
  • Parmesan Cheese – The flavors of this nutty hard cheese pairs perfectly with the other flavors. But you could use another like asiago or romano, too!
  • Vegetable Stock – Or, if you don’t need/want to keep it vegetarian, you could use chicken stock, too.
  • Fresh Parsley – Fresh is really best for this one! This is one of my favorite herbs to pair with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.
  • Lemon Juice – Just a touch to add a bright acidity.
  • White Wine Vinegar – This helps enhance all of the flavors of the dish!
  • Salt and Pepper – Just a touch to season.
  • Olive Oil – Just a little to saute the garlic and onion in.

Ready Fast

4 pictures of pans, one with sauteed onions, with tomatoes added, and then with stock and orzo added and cooked orzo.

This one pot orzo recipe has become a new family favorite around here, not only because it’s just tasty, but also because it’s ready fast and there’s just one pan to worry about!

It’s as simple as, saute the garlic and onion, add the white wine vinegar, then tomatoes and saute. Add the orzo, stock, lemon juice, and salt and pepper and let it cook covered until that orzo is nice and tender.

two pans, one with tomatoes and orzo with parsley and cheese and then another with it all mixed and topped with parsley.

Add the cheese and fresh parsley and give it a good mix, and that’s it!

a pot of orzo with tomatoes, cheese, and parsley.

20 Minute One Pot Tomato Orzo! Packed full of classic flavors, in a vegetarian orzo recipe that is healthy and delicious.

a pot of orzo with tomatoes, cheese, and parsley.

You can either add all of the cheese at once, or leave a little to finish it with, whichever you prefer!

Recipe Tips

Can I use another pasta?

You can, although it will adjust the amount of liquid needed. For these measurements, it’s best to stick with orzo.

Don’t skip the white wine vinegar

This seems like a simple ingredient, but it really does enhance the flavors of the dish! You don’t want to skip it.

Careful to not overcook

Be sure to check the orzo after 8 minutes. If it’s still not as tender as you’d like, let it cook another minute. Don’t worry about the liquid level, it will continue to cook off a bit and will be absorbed by some of the cheese. It’s a creamier dish and you don’t want it all absorbed when you first open the lid. Orzo when overcooked can get mushy.

a pot of orzo with tomatoes, cheese, and parsley.

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a pot of orzo with tomatoes, cheese, and parsley.

This one pot orzo recipe will for sure be a staple this school year, as well as many other one pot wonders!

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

If you want to see more, be sure to sign up for my 5 Easy Ways to Start Cooking From Scratch!

a pan with cooked orzo, tomatoes, parsley, and a wooden spoon.

One Pot Tomato Orzo

Ready fast and dirties only one dish!
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat, Vegetarian
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • 3.5 qt pan with lid or larger

Ingredients

  • 1 lb orzo
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 1 tablesoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cups fresh tomatoes chopped
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 4 cups vegetable stock room temp see notes
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Saute: Add olive oil to the pan and heat to medium. Add garlic and onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until onions become transluscent.
    Add white wine vinegar to the pan to deglaze.
    Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper and saute for another 5 minutes.
  • Boil: Add stock, lemon juice, and orzo to the pan. Turn up heat to medium-high to bring to a gentle boil and then cover and let cook for 8 minutes.
    Check after 8 minutes to see if the orzo is tender, but not mushy. If not tender, cover and cook for another 1 minute.
  • Finish: Once the orzo is tender, remove from the heat and add cheese and parsley (save some to garnish with if desired) and mix well.
  • Serve: Serve and enjoy!

Video

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Notes

Substitutions
Orzo – This recipe is an orzo-specific recipe and we don’t suggest substituting other pasta with this sized pot/amount of stock.  
Stock – Use vegetable or chicken. If using stock that’s been stored in the fridge, take it out of the fridge to warm to room temperature. Or you can heat it in a pot or put it in a pyrek measuring cup and pop it in the microwave (using cold stock will add to the time it takes to bring it to a boil).
Cheese – Parmesan is our favorite, but you can also use another hard nutty cheese like Asiago, Romano, or gruyere. 
Parsley – Fresh is best! 
Onion – White or yellow is great.
Be Careful to not Overcook
Be sure to check the orzo after 8 minutes. If it’s still not as tender as you’d like, let it cook another minute. Don’t worry about the liquid level, it will continue to cook off a bit and will be absorbed by some of the cheese. It’s a creamier dish and you don’t want it all absorbed when you first open the lid. Orzo when overcooked can get mushy.
Garnish
Save some of the cheese or parsley to finish with or garnish with if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 1418mg | Potassium: 511mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 652IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 3mg
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12 Comments

5 from 19 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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