• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Pasta ,Pizza, Gnocchi

Creamy Orzo With Marinated Tomatoes

Published: Apr 3, 2023 · Modified: Jan 1, 2025 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe

Creamy orzo pasta is a mouth-watering one-pan recipe that closely resembles the ultra-creamy consistency of classic risotto while being much easier and faster to make. 

The tender orzo pasta cooks in a creamy sauce base then topped with marinated tomatoes and freshly chopped basil -  it makes a delicious side dish for a casual midweek dinner or special occasion. 

White plates filled with creamy orzo pasta topped with marinated grape tomatoes.
Creamy orzo pasta topped with marinated tomatoes and fresh basil is our favorite side when we have dinner guests.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why I love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why I love this recipe

  • This creamy orzo pasta tastes like risotto, except it’s much quicker and easier to make!
  • Enjoy this creamy orzo recipe as a side dish, or turn it into a main meal by adding more vegetables to the mix or combining your choice of protein to the pan of orzo risotto.
  • Easily customizable to suit your family’s taste preferences.

This one-pot orzo risotto is ultra creamy and flavorful, you won’t have any problem sneaking in any extra vegetables!

🛒 Ingredients

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Image of ingredients needed to make the creamy orzo pasta with marinated tomatoes recipe.

Note: The full list of this orzo pasta recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are in the recipe card below.

  • white wine vinegar
  • olive oil
  • shallots
  • Dijon mustard
  • grape tomatoes
  • salt and ground black pepper
  • fresh basil
  • orzo pasta
  • unsalted butter
  • heavy cream
  • whole milk

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

First four steps to making the recipe for orzo risotto with marinated grape tomatoes over the pasta.
  1. Prepare the ingredients for the tomatoes.
  2. Combine the vinegar, oil, and shallots in a mixing bowl.
  3. Add the Dijon. Toss with the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Cook the orzo according to the package directions and set it aside. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Second set of four steps to making and completing the recipe for creamy orzo pasta topped with tomatoes.
  1. Whisk in the cream and milk and cook to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. 
  2. Add the cooked orzo to the saucepan and heat through for 1 minute.
  3. Top with the tomatoes.
  4. Serve each dish with tomatoes and vinaigrette, and sliced fresh basil.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Saucepan or pot-- for cooking the orzo pasta
  • Fine sieve or colander -- draining the water from the pasta.
  • Glass mixing bowl
  • Deep skillet
  • Whisk
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Dry measuring cups
Skillet filled with orzo pasta creamed into a risotto with halved tomatoes marinated in a white wine vinaigrette.
This one-pan creamy orzo pasta recipe is like a sophisticated mac and cheese!

🤔 FAQs

Here are the questions we often get about making this creamy orzo, or risoni, pasta with marinated tomatoes.

Is orzo a pasta or rice?

Orzo is a type of pasta that looks similar to rice in size and shape.

Is orzo different to pasta?

No. Orzo is a type of pasta made from flour (whole grain, semolina, or white flour) that closely resembles rice. 

What is risoni?

Risoni is another type of pasta that resembles rice. Many people use the terms ‘risoni’ and ‘orzo’ to mean the same thing. However, they are actually two different types of pasta made from different flours. Risoni is typically made from durum wheat flour.

Is orzo good for you?

Orzo is typically made from semolina flour which is a good source of protein. Orzo also contains complex carbohydrates and small amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • Just like any pasta, you should cook orzo al dente. It will keep cooking when you add it to the creamy sauce. 
  • Cooking the orzo in a larger, shallow skillet or saucepan helps the extra liquid evaporate. This way, the orzo cooks evenly.
  • Stir the orzo frequently while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
  • Season the pasta water for the best flavor. 
  • Remove tomatoes and omit any fresh basil topping if you intend to store leftovers in the freezer. 

📚 Variations

  • Create a cheesy orzo risotto by mixing freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the cooked orzo mixture before serving. 
  • I’ve used milk and heavy cream to make this creamy orzo pasta. You can also use cream cheese instead of the heavy cream. 
  • Add sauteed mushrooms and spinach to this dish for a delicious addition of vegetables. 
  • Add protein to this orzotto, such as shredded chicken, sausage, or shrimp, for a balanced meal. 
  • Use chicken or vegetable broth to cook the orzo instead of water for extra flavor. 
  • Use half-and-half instead of whole milk for a creamier texture.

🥫 Storage

Creamy risoni past with marinated grape tomato halves in a serving spoon.
Serve this risotto-like recipe as a side dish or main meal with your choice of protein.

Store creamy orzo pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. 

To thaw frozen orzo pasta, place it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave or a saucepan. Just add a splash of water, broth, or milk to keep it moist. Enjoy! Stir the reheated risoni pasta before serving.

📗 Related Recipes

  • Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta - Another quick and easy risotto-like dish with a lemon and spinach twist!
  • Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad - A delicious and fresh-tasting orzo salad with Greek-inspired ingredients and flavors. 
  • Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - A comforting chicken soup with soft orzo and a lovely zesty taste. 
  • Quick and Healthy: Turkey Sausage Orzo Bell Peppers - This dish is a favorite in many Italian homes. It's colorful, and it has a hearty filling that everyone loves.

🍽 Serve with

Serve this creamy orzo pasta as a side dish to grilled meat, roast chicken, and other meaty main dishes. 

You can also add other vegetables to this creamy orzo recipe for a satisfying vegetarian main meal or combine it with shredded chicken or other meat of your choice.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

While I love a delicious risotto, this creamy orzo pasta recipe is a fantastic alternative. It’s much easier and quicker to make while still providing a similar texture and flavor to traditional risotto. 

The rich flavors and ultra-creamy consistency of this orzo risotto will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters - perfect as a base to include additional veggies if you want!

Marinated tomatoes top a white plate filled with a risotto made with creamy orzo pasta.
Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over this creamy orzo just before serving.

Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📝 Recipe Card

This creamy orzo pasta is a sophisticated pasta dish made with rice-like pasta in a creamy sauce base and topped with marinated tomatoes and freshly chopped basil. Enjoy this risotto-like recipe as a side dish or main meal!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📖 Recipe

A plate piled with creamy orzo and topped with marinated tomatoes on top.

Creamy Orzo with Marinated Tomatoes

A pasta dish that is like mac 'n cheese all grown up. The richness does not come from fat but from the natural starches found in the orzo pasta
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: light lunch, pasta dish - side
Cuisine: American-Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 191kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Large saucepan
  • Fine sieve large
  • Glass mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Dry measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon minced shallots
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cups halved grape tomatoes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 1 ¼ cups dry orzo pasta 8 oz.
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup milk
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • For the tomatoes: Whisk together vinegar, oil, shallots, and Dijon and toss with tomatoes; season with salt and pepper. Add basil right before serving.
  • For the orzo: Cook orzo in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions; drain.
  • Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Whisk in cream and milk and cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add cooked orzo and heat through, 1 minute. Season orzo with salt; serve with tomatoes and top with the sliced fresh basil.

Notes

TIPS:
  • Like any pasta, it’s best to cook this orzo al dente as it will continue to cook when added to the saucepan with the creamy sauce. 
  • Cooking the orzo in a larger shallow skillet or saucepan instead of a deep pan will allow the excess liquid to evaporate and cook the orzo evenly.
  • Stir the orzo frequently while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
  • Season the pasta water for the best flavor. 
  • Remove tomatoes and omit any fresh basil topping if you intend to store leftovers in the freezer. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 832IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise

    Related Posts

    • Beer Can Chicken

      Beer Can Chicken with marinated tomatoes over creamy orzo is a weekend standard at our…

    • Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta

      Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender orzo pasta…

    • Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

      Cajun Chicken Pasta is a restaurant-quality dish you make in the comfort of your kitchen…

    More Pasta ,Pizza, Gnocchi

    • Weeknight shrimp dinner made in one skillet with lemon and tarragon over orzo pasta.
      Lemon-Tarragon Shrimp Scampi With Orzo
    • Jalapeño relish deviled egg pasta salad with bacon bits and sprinkled with sliced green onions.
      Spicy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
    • A bowl of pasta chips seasoned and sprinkled with Italian parsley and a Mediterranean feta dip on the side.
      Baked Pasta Chips with Feta Dip
    • Cooked chicken mixed with cheese tortellini pasta and Alfredo sauce in a white skillet.
      Easy Creamy Alfredo Tortellini Chicken
    5 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    🍿Snack Favorites

    • Macaroni and cheese stuffed into a large pepperoni slice and baked.
      Pizza Bites Appetizer and Snack

    • A glass bowl filled with creamy chickpeas made into a hummus dip.
      Homemade Hummus Recipe

    • Casserole dish with baked ground beef taco dip.
      Baked Taco Dip

    • A sausage meatball pyramid in a white plate with the appetizers pierced with toothpicks.
      Cheesy Sausage Balls

    🇮🇹 Italian Comfort Food

    • Bolognese Sauce Antica gives you a true taste of Italy. A special sauce for a special meal.
      Bolognese Sauce Antica A True Taste of Italy

    • Creamy Parmesan Baked gnocchi in a rich cheesy sauce baked in a black cast iron skillet.
      Baked Gnocchi in Parmesan Sauce

    • A cast iron skillet holding the Beefy Ravioli Bake with torn basil leaves sprinkled on top.
      Beefy Baked Ravioli

    • A white plate filled with egg sauce coated pasta with bits of pork on top and some parley leaves.
      Classic Roman Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

    🌬️ Cozy Winter Soups

    • Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe served in a white bowl and garnished with onions, bacon, and almonds.
      Savory Chicken Wild Rice Soup With Mushrooms

    • Bowl of Slow Cooker Taco Soup Topped With sour cream and corn chips.
      Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    • Brown bowl filled with chunks of meat and barley grains in a tomato broth with a spoon in the bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Hearty Beef Barley Soup - The Way Mamma Used To Make

    • Black Bean soup garnished with sliced avocado, diced red onions, and cilantro leaves.
      Southwestern Black Bean Soup

    🤤 Delicious Yet Light

    • A salad bowl filled with Strawberry Lettuce combination and grilled chicken dressed with poppyseed dressing.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

    • A glass bowl filled with orzo pasta combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, feta, seasonings, and dressed with a Greek vinaigrette.
      Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad

    • Fresh green cabbage salad made with a homemade green goddess dressing.
      Green Goddess Salad And Dressing

    • Overhead view of large white bowl filled with arugula salad tossed with pears, gorgonzola cheese, cranberries, and walnuts.
      Arugula Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 All Our Way

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.