This Creamy Tomato Orzo is a one-pot wonder that's ready in 25 minutes flat! Serve it up as a saucy side dish or give it top billing as a tasty vegetarian main course!
¼cupfreshly grated parmesan cheeseplus exra for topping
fresh choped basilto taste
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.
Notes
I love the contrast of serving cold/raw tomatoes on top of a hot and creamy pasta dish, hence the tomato garnish in the photos. Love it too? Feel free to follow suit!Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!