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One Pot Creamy Tomato Herb Orzo is an easy vegan side dish {if you leave out the feta cheese} that comes together in under 30 minutes. This dish is comforting, creamy and pairs nicely as a side dish or a base for adding grilled chicken, sausage, chickpeas or seafood.
Orzo is one of my favorite pastas to use in soups, sides and summer salads. If you enjoy orzo today’s One Pot Creamy Tomato Herb Orzo is a recipe you are going to like. This dish is really simple to make and you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes. It also doesn’t use a lot of complicated ingredients. We are keeping things simple, which I love. This dish is vegan {unless of course you add some feta or parmesan cheese for garnish}. If you enjoy Greek food this is similar to Kritharaki which is basically a tomato orzo dish.
It is creamy and oh, so comforting. I could eat this all day long. A nice thing about this One Pot Creamy Tomato Herb Orzo is that you can add a variety of proteins to it to bulk up the dish. Some ideas are grilled meats, seafood, chickpeas or white beans. If you want to use this as a side dish it works great alongside dishes like this Chicken Shawarma or these Shish Taouk Chicken Thighs. I have been kind of obsessing over Greek food lately. If you like orzo try this Fall Orzo Pasta Salad, Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Greek Orzo Pasta Salad, Tomato Feta Orzo Salad and this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
- Onion & Garlic: The onion and garlic add flavor to the orzo side dish. You can use fresh garlic or you can use garlic powder.
- Spices: A mixture of oregano and parsley add flavor to the tomato orzo.
- Tomatoes: This recipe uses diced tomatoes. You can use crushed or whole.
- Pasta: I use orzo for its quick cook time and small shape, perfect for side dishes. Whole wheat or gluten-free orzo work well as alternatives.
How to Make this One Pot Creamy Tomato Herb Orzo
Step 1: Sauté Onion: In a medium pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add Spices and Tomatoes: Add the oregano, parsley, tomato paste, diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Add Orzo and Simmer: Pour the water in and add the orzo and give it a good stir. Add a dash of salt and pepper, cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes {or following the cook time on the package of orzo}. Remove the lid, add the lemon juice and let it continue to simmer for 2 more minutes.
Taste and adjust seasonings including salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and feta cheese.
More Orzo Recipes
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One Pot Creamy Tomato Herb Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 small sweet onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley , {or 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley chopped}
- 1 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can diced tomatoes , {you can use crushed or whole}
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 cup orzo
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish
- Feta cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the oregano, parsley, tomato paste, diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Pour the water in and add the orzo and give it a good stir. Add a dash of salt and pepper, cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes {or following the cook time on the package of orzo}. Remove the lid, add the lemon juice and let it continue to simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings including salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and feta cheese.
Notes
- This recipe works great as a side dish but also as a base for adding grilled meats, chickpeas or seafood.
- You can feel free to add whatever spices and herbs you like. Sometimes I like it a bit spicy so I will add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.
- Feel free to get creative with the garnishes. For example, sometimes I like to add kalamata olives.
- If you like your orzo extra cheesy stir in 1/4 of parmesan cheese at the end of cooking.
- Another great addition to this dish is spinach or kale-stir it in at the end of cooking and let it wilt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We love this one! So easy.