Orzo Tomato Parmesan Dish (Printable View)

Tender orzo combined with sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy Parmesan, and fragrant basil in olive oil.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 1/4 cups orzo pasta
02 - 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

→ Dairy

06 - 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Oils & Seasoning

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - Salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking water.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add halved cherry tomatoes to skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
04 - Add cooked orzo and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss gently and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in remaining tablespoon of olive oil, most of the Parmesan, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper until creamy and well combined.
06 - Plate immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The orzo cooks up tiny and buttery, coating each grain in that sweet tomato juices and salty Parmesan combo that hits every comfort button
  • This comes together in barely 25 minutes from start to finish, perfect for those nights when you want something special but refuse to spend hours at the stove
02 -
  • That 1/4 cup of pasta water you save is not optional, the starch in it helps create that light creamy sauce without adding any cream
  • Take the skillet off the heat before adding the Parmesan, otherwise the cheese can separate and get grainy instead of melting into a smooth coating
03 -
  • If you can find cherry tomatoes on the vine, they tend to be sweeter and more flavorful than loose ones
  • Reserve a little extra Parmesan to sprinkle on top right before serving, those salty crumbs on the surface make such a difference
Return