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Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Roasted Tomatoes

creamy one-pot garlic parmesan orzo - featured image

A comforting and easy one-pot dish featuring creamy garlic Parmesan orzo paired with sweet roasted tomatoes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 180g)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (about 300g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth (720ml)
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 75g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes until soft and caramelized.
  2. While tomatoes roast, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add orzo pasta to the skillet and toast lightly for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the broth all at once and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 10-12 minutes. Add more broth or water if it gets too dry.
  5. Remove skillet from heat and stir in roasted tomatoes with their juices, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until creamy and smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Finish with chopped fresh basil scattered on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Roast tomatoes slowly at moderate heat to develop sweetness without burning. Toast orzo lightly for added nuttiness. Stir gently but often to prevent sticking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best creaminess. Adjust broth as needed to avoid dryness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with almond milk or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free options include gluten-free orzo or rice-shaped quinoa.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, orzo, garlic, Parmesan, roasted tomatoes, easy dinner, creamy pasta, vegetarian