Roasted Tomato Orzo

Roasted Tomato Orzo is a simple pasta dish made with juicy roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, tender orzo, herbs, and Parmesan. The tomatoes become sweet and saucy in the oven, then mix into the orzo to create a light but comforting meal.

This recipe is great for an easy weeknight dinner, a side dish, or a simple lunch. It works especially well when cherry tomatoes are sweet and fresh, but you can make it any time of year with grocery store tomatoes.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It uses simple ingredients and does not take much effort.

• Roasting the tomatoes gives the dish better flavor.

• It works as a main dish or a side dish.

• It is easy to add chicken, shrimp, beans, or extra vegetables.

Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet or baking dish

• Medium saucepan

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Wooden spoon

• Colander

• Large mixing bowl or serving bowl

Ingredients List

For the Roasted Tomatoes

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For the Orzo

• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta

• 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley

For Topping

• Extra Parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil

• Cracked black pepper

• Drizzle of olive oil, optional

Timing & Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

How to Make Roasted Tomato Orzo Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or baking dish.

Step 2: Season the tomatoes
Add the cherry tomatoes to the baking sheet. Toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 3: Roast the tomatoes
Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft, wrinkled, and starting to release their juices.

Step 4: Cook the orzo
While the tomatoes roast, bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook according to the package directions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Drain well.

Step 5: Mix the orzo
Add the cooked orzo to a large bowl. Stir in olive oil or butter, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.

Step 6: Add roasted tomatoes
Pour the roasted tomatoes and all their juices into the orzo. Stir gently so the tomatoes coat the pasta without breaking apart too much.

Step 7: Finish and serve
Add fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Parmesan if needed. Serve warm.

Tips for the Best Roasted Tomato Orzo

• Use cherry or grape tomatoes because they roast quickly and become naturally sweet.
• Do not throw away the juices from the roasted tomatoes. That is what helps coat the orzo and gives the dish flavor.
• Cook the orzo just until tender. Overcooked orzo can become too soft and sticky.
• Use broth instead of water if you want the orzo to have more flavor.
• Add the Parmesan while the orzo is still warm so it melts into the pasta.
• If the orzo seems dry, stir in a splash of pasta water, broth, or olive oil before serving.

Variations to Try

• Add grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken for more protein.
• Stir in cooked shrimp for a quick seafood version.
• Add baby spinach after mixing the hot orzo and tomatoes. The heat will wilt it gently.
• Use feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a tangier flavor.
• Add roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
• Make it creamy by stirring in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream.

Serving Suggestions

1. Roasted Tomato Orzo can be served as a light main dish or as a side.
2. For a complete meal, pair it with grilled chicken, baked salmon, shrimp, or turkey meatballs. It also goes well with garlic bread, a green salad, roasted vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad.
3. If you want a vegetarian meal, add white beans or chickpeas for protein.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

You can roast the tomatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also cook the orzo ahead, but toss it with a little olive oil so it does not stick.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water. Stir gently until heated through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring between each one.

Freezing is not the best option because orzo can become soft after thawing. If you do freeze it, store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months and reheat gently with extra broth.

Nutritional Facts

Calories: 390
Fat: 16g
Carbs: 52g
Protein: 12g
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 520mg

Roasted Tomato Orzo

Roasted Tomato Orzo is a simple and flavorful pasta dish made with tender orzo, sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. It's an easy, comforting recipe that works perfectly as a light main course or a delicious side dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Servings 4 people

Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

• Baking sheet or baking dish
• Medium saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Colander
• Large mixing bowl or serving bowl

Ingredients

  

For the Roasted Tomatoes

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

For the Orzo

• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
• 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley

For Topping

• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Cracked black pepper
• Drizzle of olive oil optional

Instructions

 

Step 1: Preheat the oven

• Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or baking dish.

Step 2: Season the tomatoes

• Add the cherry tomatoes to the baking sheet. Toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 3: Roast the tomatoes

• Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft, wrinkled, and starting to release their juices.

Step 4: Cook the orzo

• While the tomatoes roast, bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook according to the package directions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Drain well.

Step 5: Mix the orzo

• Add the cooked orzo to a large bowl. Stir in olive oil or butter, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.

Step 6: Add roasted tomatoes

• Pour the roasted tomatoes and all their juices into the orzo. Stir gently so the tomatoes coat the pasta without breaking apart too much.

Step 7: Finish and serve

• Add fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Parmesan if needed. Serve warm.

Keyword Roasted Tomato Orzo

FAQs

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?
Yes. Chop them into smaller pieces and roast until soft and juicy. Cherry tomatoes usually give the best texture.

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes. Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free Parmesan-style topping.

Is orzo rice or pasta?
Orzo looks like rice, but it is pasta. It cooks quickly and works well in warm or cold dishes.

Can I serve roasted tomato orzo cold?
Yes. It can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled like a pasta salad. Add a little olive oil and lemon juice before serving if it has dried out.

Conclusion

Roasted Tomato Orzo is easy, fresh, and comforting without being heavy. The roasted tomatoes make a simple sauce, the orzo cooks fast, and the whole dish comes together with just a few basic ingredients. Try it as a quick dinner or a flavorful side for your next meal.