The BEST Tomato Orzotto (One Pot)

This Tomato Orzotto recipe has to be one of the best things I've made in a while. It's all made in one pot using cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. This tomato orzo pasta recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.

For those of you wondering what Orzotto is, it's essentially a pasta take on risotto. Not only is it super tasty, but it takes about half the length of time that it takes to make risotto. So, if you love tomatoes, pasta, and risotto, then you'll love this super simple and quick tomato orzotto recipe.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• COMFORTING - This dish is the ultimate comfort food. It's super creamy and full of flavour, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
• QUICK - Tomato orzotto takes less than 30 minutes to make because orzo itself only takes around 10 minutes to cook. So, once you've prepped all of the ingredients, fried off the tomatoes, onions, and garlic, and poured in your orzo with the rest of the ingredients, it'll be on the table in no time!
• FEW INGREDIENTS - For this recipe, you'll need less than 10 staple pantry ingredients.

If you love orzo recipes, then you'll also love my Garlic Confit Chilli Orzo and my Asparagus Orzotto, they're both so flavourful and easy to make.

If you don't have orzo, but you want to make this recipe, check out my 20 best orzo substitutes!

INGREDIENTS FOR TOMATO ORZOTTO

As I mentioned earlier, this easy recipe requires less than 10 ingredients. They're all accessible ingredients, ones that you'll probably already have in your cupboards, fridge, or kitchen.

• Orzo - A small rice-shaped pasta forms the heart of this tomato orzotto recipe. Its small shape and texture are perfect to absorb all the gorgeous flavours from this dish. Feel free to use a different shape of pasta if you're not able to find orzo. Here are 20 of my favourite substitutes for orzo.
• Cherry Tomatoes - I adore cherry tomatoes, you could also use plum tomatoes, but any small tomatoes work. They burst with flavour and provide a vibrant colour to the dish. Cherry tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamin c.
• Red Onion - This lends a subtle sweetness and colour to the dish. You can also use white onion or shallots if you don't have red onion.
• Garlic - An absolutely essential ingredient to the majority of my dishes, garlic infuses into the sauce and the orzo creating a delightful aroma and depth of flavour. I've used 3 garlic cloves for this recipe, but feel free to go wild depending on how much of a fan of garlic you are.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes - One of my favourite ingredients to put in tomato pasta recipes. They bring a light but also intense, slightly tangy flavour to this tomato orzotto one pot dish.
• Tomato Paste - This is kind of optional, but I do think it elevates the dish just a little bit by adding that depth of flavour. Its rich tomato flavour and reddish hue just takes this tomato orzo recipe to the next level.
• Balsamic Vinegar- It's quite common to add wine to a dish for a bit of acidity, however, I love adding a stronger yet non-alcoholic version, balsamic vinegar. It brings such a great tang to the dish. I genuinely think it's the secret ingredient to this orzo recipe tasting phenomenal.
• Parmesan - adding cheese is a must for this cheesy pasta dish. Grated parmesan is perfect to add into the sauce as well as garnish at the end.
• Sugar - a pinch of sugar helps to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes, enhancing the overall flavour of the orzotto.
• Vegetable Stock - This serves as the flavourful liquid that cooks the orzo and tomatoes. It provides depth and richness to the dish. Feel free to use chicken stock or beef stock if you wanted to add a more meat-based liquid.
• Sour Cream - This ingredient adds a creaminess and tang to the orzotto. I added in a couple of tablespoons and it just makes the dish silky smooth.
• Basil - Fresh basil leaves, torn and sprinkle on top, provides a burst of aroma, colour, and a hint of peppery sweetness.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS FOR TOMATO ORZOTTO

Orzo Substitution: If you find yourself without orzo, feel free to use any other small pasta shape you have! Or you can seamlessly substitute it with pearl couscous, bulgar wheat, or short-grain rice. Pearl couscous offers a slightly larger grain but maintains a pleasant texture, creating a similar mouthfeel in your dish. Quinoa, with its nutty flavor and small grains, adds a nutritious touch. Short-grain rice, when cooked al dente, mimics the tender bite of orzo, making it an excellent alternative. I also have 20 orzo substitute recommendations that could work really well for this recipe! Whichever you choose, your orzotto will still boast a delightful base texture.

Cherry Tomatoes Substitution: When cherry tomatoes are unavailable, consider grape tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or even diced regular tomatoes as substitutes. Grape tomatoes share the sweet, juicy characteristics of cherry tomatoes, while plum tomatoes bring a robust flavor. Diced regular tomatoes work well, especially if you prefer a chunkier texture. Each option ensures your orzotto maintains its refreshing burst of tomato goodness.

Red Onion Substitution: For an alternative to red onion, turn to white onion or shallots. White onions offer a mild, slightly sweet flavour akin to red onions, making them a suitable replacement. Shallots, with their subtle, nuanced taste, contribute a delicate aroma to your dish. Both options seamlessly blend into your orzotto, imparting their characteristic flavors.

Garlic Substitution: If fresh garlic is absent, garlic powder or minced garlic in olive oil can step in. Garlic powder provides a concentrated garlic essence, while minced garlic in olive oil offers convenience and a similar sautéed flavour. Whether you choose the powdered form or the pre-minced version, your orzotto will retain that essential garlic aroma.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes Substitution: If you don't have any sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or marinated artichoke hearts can fill the void. Roasted red peppers boast a tangy sweetness, while marinated artichoke hearts offer a slightly tangy and earthy taste. Both alternatives introduce a delightful depth of flavour to your orzotto.

Tomato Paste Substitution: Substitute tomato paste with either tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. Tomato sauce provides a saucier base, while crushed tomatoes offer a chunkier texture. Both options can be reduced to achieve a concentrated tomato flavour, akin to tomato paste. Your orzotto will still capture that essence of tomato richness. If you'd like to add some more umami, then umami paste (that you can buy in tubes), is also a great option.

Balsamic Vinegar Substitution: In the absence of balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work wonders. Red wine vinegar imparts a subtle tang, enhancing the overall taste of your orzotto. Apple cider vinegar offers a slightly sweeter note, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes. Both alternatives provide the necessary acidic kick to elevate your dish.

Parmesan Substitution: If you don't have parmesan, pecorino would be a great substitute. If you're looking for a plant-based option, then I'd recommend using some vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for an extra cheesy flavour.

Sugar Substitution: To balance the acidity of tomatoes, substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup. Honey offers a natural sweetness and depth of flavour, enhancing the overall taste profile. Maple syrup brings a rich, caramelised sweetness. Both alternatives add the perfect touch of sweetness to your orzotto, harmonising the flavours beautifully.

Vegetable Stock Substitution: If vegetable stock is unavailable, chicken or mushroom stock can step in. Chicken stock provides a rich and savoury base, enhancing the flavour of your orzotto. Mushroom stock adds an earthy depth, creating a delightful umami note.

Sour Cream Substitution: In place of sour cream, Greek yogurt or heavy cream can be used. Greek yogurt offers a tangy note, adding a creamy texture to your orzotto. Heavy cream provides richness and a velvety mouthfeel. You could also use plant-based cream options if you want to keep this dish vegan. Depending on your preference, either option will impart a creaminess to your dish.

Basil Substitution: If fresh basil is unavailable, fresh parsley or coriander can add a burst of freshness to your orzotto. Fresh parsley offers a mild, herbaceous flavour, while coriander provides a slightly citrusy, peppery taste. Both alternatives serve as excellent garnishes, enhancing the aroma and visual appeal of your dish.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

• VEGAN - if you'd like to make this dish vegan, simply use plant-based cream to make this dish creamy, and ensure your vegetable stock is vegan. Any cheese you use for a topping like parmesan has to be vegan too. Nutritional yeast could be a great ingredient to add a bit of cheesiness to your dish.
• GLUTEN FREE - if you can find gluten-free orzo, then you're winning. If you can't then feel free to substitute the orzo with any small gluten-free pasta.
• MEATY - want to add some meat protein into your dish? I'd recommend frying some chicken thighs, chopped them up, and then adding them into your orzotto as a great meat addition. You could also add in some fried tofu if you wanted a plant-based protein alternative.

HOW TO MAKE ONE PAN TOMATO ORZOTTO: STEP BY STEP

STEP 1 - MAKE THE BASE

• Place a frying pan on medium heat and drizzle with oil. Add in your sliced red onion, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Frequently stir and fry for around 5 minutes. 

• Next up, add in your sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic, and sugar. Fry for a further minute and then add in your veggie stock, sour cream, salt, and pepper. 

STEP 2 - ADD YOUR ORZO

• Pour in your orzo and parmesan, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir continuously to avoid the orzo sticking to the bottom. 
• If the orzo begins to stick to your pan, add in some more boiling water. 
• Your orzo should be cooked after around 10 minutes, so give a taste to check it’s al dente, or to the texture of your liking. 

STEP 3 - SERVE UP AND ENJOY

• Serve up, top with basil and more sour cream, and enjoy!

TOMATO ORZO PASTA LEFTOVERS

Storage: Store your leftover Tomato Orzotto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To maintain its freshness, ensure it's properly cooled before storing.

Reheating: When reheating, add a splash of vegetable stock, water, or milk while warming it up on the stove or in the microwave. This revives its creamy texture and brings back the vibrant flavours. Alternatively, use the leftovers creatively - stuff red peppers or courgettes, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for delicious stuffed vegetables. Or roll portions into arancini, coat with breadcrumbs, and fry into delicious rice balls.

Freezing: Yes, you can freeze Tomato Orzotto for up to 2-3 months. For best results, store it in a freezer-safe container. Upon defrosting in the fridge overnight, gently reheat on the hob or in the microwave. Adding a bit of vegetable stock, water, or milk will help restore its creamy consistency. Remember, freezing might slightly alter the texture, but the flavours will remain delightful.

TOMATO ORZOTTO RECIPE FAQS

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