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.

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
- 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
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.
Add the cheese and fresh parsley and give it a good mix, and that’s it!
20 Minute One Pot Tomato Orzo! Packed full of classic flavors, in a vegetarian orzo recipe that is healthy and delicious.
You can either add all of the cheese at once, or leave a little to finish it with, whichever you prefer!
Recipe Tips
You can, although it will adjust the amount of liquid needed. For these measurements, it’s best to stick with orzo.
This seems like a simple ingredient, but it really does enhance the flavors of the dish! You don’t want to skip it.
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.
You Also Might Like
- Greek Orzo Salad
- Easy Homemade Rice Pilaf
- One Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta
- One Pot 20 Minute Greek Pasta
- One Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Broccoli and Rice
- Fresh Tomato Marinara Pasta
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!
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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!
I love making an easy recipe like this. I made this last night and everyone loves it!
So great to hear, Amy! Thanks for sharing!
This was one of the first orzo recipes I tried. I think this might be my new pasta go to recipe!
Thanks so much for sharing, Ann!
I made this for dinner and it turned out great. Thank you so much for the recipe!
This one pot orzo recipe is in my weekly dinner rotation. It’s easy, delicious, and the kids love it!
So great to hear that the kids love it, too! Thanks for sharing!
This was such a great way to use orzo. The flavour was amazing – I will definitely be making it again.
Love to hear it, Dannii!! Thanks for sharing!
This was such an easy, delicious, one pot meal! It was the perfect dinner for my family!
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
Thanks for sharing, Suja!!