Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Recipe: A Zesty Italian Delight

Whisking together a delightful sun-dried tomato orzo promises comfort in every delectable bite.

Pasta lovers adore this Mediterranean-inspired dish for its rich, velvety texture.

Colorful ingredients dance across the plate, creating a symphony of flavors.

Creamy sauce coats each tender orzo kernel with intense, tangy goodness.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top add a vibrant, aromatic touch.

Subtle nuances of garlic and parmesan cheese complement the sweet, concentrated tomato notes.

You’ll want to savor every single spoonful of this irresistible culinary creation.

What Makes One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Special

• Create Creamy Comfort: Dive into a pasta dish that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Customize with Ease: Toss in grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta to make this versatile recipe your own personal masterpiece.
• Master Gourmet Cooking: Learn professional techniques like perfectly sautéing garlic and creating a silky smooth sauce without complicated steps.
• Savor Intense Flavors: Packed with sun-dried tomatoes, rich cream cheese, and parmesan, this orzo delivers bold, complex taste in every single bite.

One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Ingredient List

• Orzo: A small, rice-shaped pasta that provides a delightful texture and serves as the base of this creamy dish.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intensely flavored, concentrated tomatoes that add a rich, tangy sweetness to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: A luxurious dairy product that creates a smooth and velvety sauce base.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and helps create a thick, creamy texture to the sauce.

• Garlic, Dried Basil: Provide depth of flavor and aromatic notes to enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the flavors of the ingredients.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty complexity and helps create a final creamy finish to the orzo.

• Olive Oil, Pasta Water: Support the cooking process by helping to sauté ingredients and adjust sauce consistency.

Cooking One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Made Easy

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Cook orzo until it reaches a tender al dente texture, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. The pasta should be soft yet have a slight bite.

Step 2: Prepare Flavor Boosters

Grab a cutting board and finely chop garlic and sun-dried tomatoes into tiny, uniform pieces that will distribute evenly throughout the dish.

Step 3: Awaken Garlic Aromas

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Toss in chopped garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant and develops a light golden hue, releasing its magical flavor.

Step 4: Introduce Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, allowing them to dance with the garlic and intensify their rich, concentrated taste for about a minute.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Cream Base

Lower the heat and gently pour in heavy cream. Stir softly to marry the cream with garlic and tomatoes, creating a silky foundation for the sauce.

Step 6: Whip Up Velvety Smoothness

Blend cream cheese into the skillet, whisking continuously until it melts completely. Watch as the sauce transforms into a smooth, decadent mixture.

Step 7: Season with Flavor Explosions

Sprinkle in dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure every drop of sauce is packed with mouthwatering seasoning.

Step 8: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain the cooked orzo, keeping a small amount of pasta water nearby. Transfer the pasta directly into the creamy skillet sauce.

Step 9: Coat Every Pasta Morsel

Gently fold the orzo into the sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is luxuriously covered. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency.

Step 10: Add Cheesy Finale

Remove the skillet from heat and fold in grated parmesan cheese. Let the residual warmth melt the cheese, creating an incredibly creamy and indulgent finish.

Step 11: Let Flavors Harmonize

Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes. This magical pause lets the flavors mingle and the sauce slightly thicken, transforming good into absolutely extraordinary.

Helpful Tricks for One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

• Elevate Pasta Texture: Stir orzo occasionally while boiling to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking for a perfect al dente result.
• Master Flavor Infusion: Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes briefly to unlock their deep, concentrated flavors without burning.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness, creating a silky, smooth coating that clings perfectly to orzo.
• Boost Cheese Melting: Remove skillet from heat before adding parmesan to prevent overcooking and maintain a luxurious, creamy texture.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Consider garnishing with fresh basil leaves just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch to the dish.

Tweak Your One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Your Way

• Mediterranean Orzo: Add sliced kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh chopped parsley for a Greek-inspired version.
• Protein-Packed Option: Mix in grilled chicken breast or sautéed shrimp to transform the dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Vegetable Boost: Incorporate roasted zucchini, spinach, and cherry tomatoes to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors and textures.
• Spicy Kick Version: Include red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, and a splash of hot sauce to create a zesty, bold flavor profile that awakens taste buds.

Perfect Pairings for One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to cut through the creamy richness and complement the sun-dried tomato's tangy notes.
• Enhance Protein Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or pan-seared white fish like cod or halibut, which will balance the pasta's creamy texture without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
• Create Fresh Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts to add a bright, peppery contrast that refreshes the palate between creamy bites.
• Boost Bread Side: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the luxurious sauce, providing a delightful textural counterpoint and additional flavor dimension.

Store and Reheat One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Right

• Store leftover orzo in a sealed glass or plastic container, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months.
• Warm refrigerated orzo in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Consume within 4 days for optimal taste and texture, as cream-based sauces can separate and lose quality when stored too long.

All Your One-Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Questions Answered

• What are sun-dried tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes are ripe tomatoes that have been dehydrated by sun or machine, concentrating their rich, sweet, and tangy flavor. They add intense tomato taste and chewy texture to dishes.

• Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes?

Fresh tomatoes won’t provide the same concentrated flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes have a unique, intense taste that’s crucial to this recipe’s profile. If substituting, you’ll lose the signature depth of flavor.

• Is this dish vegetarian?

Yes, this creamy orzo recipe is vegetarian. It contains dairy products like cream cheese and parmesan cheese but no meat. For a fully vegetarian version, ensure you use vegetarian parmesan cheese.

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sun-dried tomato orzo weaves Mediterranean magic into a quick, luxurious pasta dish. Silky pasta mingles with tangy tomatoes and rich cream, promising a delectable journey through Italian-inspired comfort that will delight you at first bite.

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Ingredients

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Pasta:

• 2 cups orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup cream cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. While pasta cooks, finely chop garlic and sun-dried tomatoes into uniform, small pieces.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for an additional minute to release their concentrated flavors.
5. Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream, stirring gently to combine with garlic and tomatoes.
6. Incorporate cream cheese into the sauce, whisking until smooth and fully melted, creating a rich, velvety texture.
7. Sprinkle dried basil, salt, and black pepper into the cream sauce, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
8. Drain cooked orzo, reserving a small amount of pasta water, and immediately transfer pasta to the skillet with cream sauce.
9. Gently fold orzo into the sauce, ensuring each pasta grain is well-coated and adding reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency.
10. Remove from heat and fold in grated parmesan cheese, allowing residual warmth to melt cheese and create a luxurious, creamy finish.
11. Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.

Notes

• Drain pasta just before it reaches perfect al dente to prevent overcooking, as orzo continues absorbing sauce after removing from heat.
• Chop sun-dried tomatoes finely and consistently to ensure even distribution and balanced flavor throughout the dish.
• Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, though sauce will be less rich and creamy.
• Elevate vegetarian option by adding roasted pine nuts or sautéed spinach for extra texture and nutritional boost.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg