Cheesy orzo with roasted cherry tomatoes. This easy dish is super creamy, supremely satisfying and delicious. The roasted cherry tomatoes are a perfect topping, they add a sweet tart flavor and pair extraordinarily well with the salty Parmesan. It’s simple but mouthwatering. This easy orzo dish looks like risotto, tastes like stovetop mac and cheese, and is practically ready in 20 minutes. While almost all pasta dishes can be called ‘weeknight-friendly’, this one might just win the prize.
Why you’ll love this cheesy orzo with roasted tomatoes recipe
Orzo is a great option for everyone at the table and it’s a fast-cooking favorite for weeknight ease. We cook the orzo, just like risotto, in chicken broth, but also add some milk and turn it into a ridiculously creamy sauce. Besides that, there’s not much work, we stir the orzo a couple of times and add plenty of grated Parmesan cheese at the end.
All of this happens while we roast the tomatoes in the oven. They’re simply seasoned with salt and pepper, and drizzled with olive oil. They soften, get sweet, release their juices and create a delicious sauce.
What you’ll end up with is a dinner that definitely will capture a recurring spot on your weekly meal plan. You can finish it off with roasted tomatoes, but also with roasted broccoli or add some grilled chicken. This recipe is super versatile and you can’t go wrong.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step video.
Tips for a Delicious Cheesy Orzo
- Don’t skimp on the shallot or garlic, they add a lot of flavor.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper just before serving. The amount you need will vary depending on the saltiness of your broth and Parmesan.
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking. We simmer the orzo in a covered skillet, and as it cooks, it releases starch, which means that the orzo can easily stick to the bottom of your skillet.
Helpful tips
- You can enjoy it as a main dish or a side.
- It’s delicious with shrimp, salmon or roasted chicken.
- This orzo would also be delicious with some cooked greens stirred in, like spinach or kale.
- Instead of tomatoes, top it with roasted broccoli.
Storage
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
More delicious orzo recipes, please!
Cheesy Orzo with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 11 ounces orzo
- 14 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2.5 ounces grated Parmesan
- 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp pine nuts
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 4 thyme sprigs for serving
- crushed red pepper flakes for serving
- flaky salt for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
- Place the cherry tomatoes in a baking sheet, sprinkle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Slide into the oven for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet or Dutch oven over high heat. Add pine nuts and toast until golden, about 1 minute. Remove from skillet.
- Lower the heat, add the remaining oil, garlic and shallot, cook until soft, about 1 minute.
- Add orzo, stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in vegetable broth and milk. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes or according to package instructions. Add a splash of water if the orzo looks too dry.
- Stir in Parmesan. Taste, and adjust salt and black pepper.
- Top with roasted cherry tomatoes and their released juices. Sprinkle with flaky salt and red pepper flakes. Serve with toasted pine nuts, enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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I love risotto, but have always failed making it at home. This makes a fail-proof risotto dish! It tastes like something I would have ordered in a restaurant. Even my husband loved it, and he is very critical of my cooking! Thank you for a delicious dinner!
Yay!! That’s so nice to hear. Thank you so much for giving it a try!
Came out great! Easy and lends itself to whatever additions you want to make, and forgiving with substitutions. I added some shrimp and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end. Thanks for this quick and versatile recipe!
sounds fantastic! so happy you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try!
Curious. The recipe calls for 4 thyme sprigs. Are these to be used with the cherry tomatoes or simmered in the orzo mixture.
Hi, they’re for serving, thanks for noticing. Sorry for the confusion, the recipe is fixed. Happy cooking!
Just made this for dinner tonight. It was so easy and delicious. Definitely will try again with some of your suggestions … seems will be really good with some shrimp or spinach. Thanks!!
Fantastic! Love hearing that, Jennifer. So glad this recipe is a hit, thanks for making it!
Easy to make & full of flavor. Delicious! Thank you
You’re welcome!
This was such an easy, yummy dinner, I definitely want to make it again. I roasted broccoli with olive oil and parmesan cheese instead of the tomatoes, and it was great. My partner added crispy prosciutto on top and he raved about how yummy it was. Love this!
Thank you Claire. This sounds like such a treat! So glad you both enjoyed it.
This looks so good! What a great side to make for summer!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
I made a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious! I had some spinach that needed to be used so I added that tonight. This is a great easy recipe that definitely lends itself to many variations. Thank you for sharing:)
You’re welcome Ashley! So glad you enjoyed!
Is there a substitute for pine nuts? We have a tree nut allergy in the family
Hi Karen! Certainly! You can use sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds as substitutes for pine nuts. These seeds can provide a similar texture and flavor in your recipe. You may want to experiment to see which one you prefer based on your taste preferences. Enjoy the recipe!