Easy One-Pan Creamy Tomato Orzo
Tomato paste gives this orzo a deeper flavor than a quick splash of tomato sauce, and cooking the pasta directly in broth lets it become naturally creamy as it releases starch. Garlic, onion and Parmesan round out the pan, making it feel comforting without requiring a separate cream sauce.
Stir often during the last few minutes because orzo thickens quickly. If the pan becomes too tight before the pasta is tender, add warm broth a little at a time.
Orzo Builds Its Own Creamy Texture as It Cooks
- Orzo releases starch as it cooks, naturally thickening the tomato-broth mixture around the pasta.
- Cooking the tomato paste with onion and garlic first removes its raw edge and deepens the sauce.
- Frequent stirring keeps the small pasta from catching on the bottom as the liquid reduces.
- Cream, Parmesan and spinach go in at the end, preserving a smooth texture and fresh color.
Easy One-Pan Creamy Tomato Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 2 tbsp chopped basil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onion for 3–4 minutes.
- Add garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in orzo, broth, crushed tomatoes, oregano and salt.
- Simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan and spinach until creamy and the spinach wilts.
- Finish with basil and serve.
Notes
Toast the Tomato Paste Briefly
A minute of direct heat takes the raw edge off tomato paste before broth and crushed tomatoes enter the pan. Stir constantly so it darkens slightly without sticking.
Stir the Orzo More Than Long Pasta
Orzo releases starch directly into the cooking liquid, which is part of what makes the dish creamy. Stir often enough to keep the small pasta from settling on the bottom of the skillet.
Add Dairy Only After the Orzo Is Tender
Cream and Parmesan belong at the end. Waiting until the pasta is cooked keeps the dairy from simmering for too long and lets you judge exactly how much richness the pan needs.
Loosen Leftovers With Broth
Orzo continues to absorb sauce in the refrigerator. Reheat with a splash of broth or water and stir gently until the creamy consistency returns.
