5 from 87 votes
Creamy Tomato Orzo
Creamy Tomato Orzo is a comforting pasta dish where tender orzo cooks in a tomato-based broth enriched with cream cheese and Parmesan. Italian seasoning and fresh basil add herbal notes, while garlic and fire-roasted tomatoes provide savory depth. The result is a creamy, slightly tangy, and warmly spiced dish suitable as a side or light main course.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
357 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian, American
Ingredients
- 1 tsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk
- 14.5 oz fire roasted crushed tomato
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning blend (I use salt-free Mrs. Dash)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta dry
- 2 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese plus exra for topping, freshly grated
- basil to taste, fresh, chopped
Instructions
- In a large 3-4 quart pot, melt your butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add garlic and sauté until tender and fragrant.
- Add broth, milk, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir with a metal whisk to deglaze the garlic from the pan.
- Bring to a light boil and add your orzo. Reduce heat to medium-low (mine was at a 4) and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally with your whisk to prevent sticking.
- After 10 minutes the pasta should be al dente. If you'd like it more tender, feel free to simmer an additional 2-3 minutes.
- One the pasta is al-dente or your ideal tenderness, remove pot from heat. Sauce will be thin and thicken as it cools. Whisk in cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Taste the pasta and season once more to taste. Feel free to add extra salt, pepper, Italian seasoning or even extras like crushe red pepper flakes for a little heat! Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additonal parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy hot.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adding cold or raw tomato on top provides a refreshing contrast to the warm creamy pasta.
- Nutrition information is estimated and can be adjusted based on ingredient choices.
Nutrition Information
Calories
357kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
25mg
(8%)
Sodium
935mg
(39%)
Potassium
535mg
(11%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
857IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
215mg
(22%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 935mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 535mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 857IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 215mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.