This cherry tomato orzo is a quick, one-pan meal that’s light, heart-healthy, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavor. It’s perfect for busy nights or a nourishing lunch the next day.
For more easy pasta recipe, check out our lemon orzo with zucchini, marry me orzo, angel hair pasta, and mushroom orzo.
A Wholesome One-Pan Meal Ready in 30 Minutes
On busy weeknights, Louise and I love recipes that are quick, wholesome, and full of flavor and this cherry tomato orzo checks all the boxes 🍅.
It’s a simple one-pan dish that blends sweet blistered tomatoes, creamy butter beans, and tender orzo pasta into a light yet satisfying meal. Packed with fiber-rich beans, heart-healthy olive oil, and antioxidant-loaded tomatoes, it’s the kind of dinner that feels indulgent but is actually nourishing for your body 💚.
The best part? You can enjoy it warm straight from the pan or chilled the next day as a healthy orzo salad recipe. The orzo cooks right in the broth, soaking up every drop of Mediterranean flavor, while fresh herbs and lemon zest keep it bright and fresh.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, high in plant-based protein, and can easily be made dairy-free. Whether you’re serving it as a cozy weeknight meal or a colorful summer pasta salad recipe for guests, it’s a versatile dish you’ll want to make again and again ✨. Healthy, flavorful, and ready in about 30 minutes. This is plant-based cooking at its easiest.
Ingredients
Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use for rich flavor and healthy fats. Substitute avocado oil or light olive oil if preferred.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy. Swap for grape tomatoes, chopped heirloom tomatoes, or even roasted tomatoes for deeper flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves are best for aroma. Substitute ½ teaspoon garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder flavor.
- Dried oregano: Brings Mediterranean depth. Swap with Italian seasoning or dried thyme for a different herbal profile.
- Red pepper flakes: Add gentle heat. Use fresh chili for more spice, or omit entirely for a mild, family-friendly dish.
- Butter beans: Creamy and satisfying. Replace with cannellini beans, chickpeas, or even green lentils for a healthy orzo salad recipe twist.
- Orzo pasta: Tiny rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly. Substitute whole wheat orzo for more fiber, or try small pasta shapes like ditalini or acini di pepe.
- Vegetable broth: Keeps the dish vegetarian. Use chicken broth for extra richness or mushroom broth for an earthy touch.
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano: Salty, umami-rich cheese. Try Asiago, Grana Padano, or a dairy-free parmesan for a vegan-friendly option.
- Lemon zest: Adds freshness and brightness. Swap with orange zest for a sweeter citrus note.
- Fresh basil or parsley: Brings color and a burst of freshness. Substitute fresh mint for a summery twist or thyme for a more savory profile.
How to Make Cherry Tomato Orzo
Step 1 – Blister the Cherry Tomatoes
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan now and then. You want the skins to blister and darken slightly—this adds a deep, sweet flavor perfect for a summer pasta salad recipe twist.
Step 2 – Season and Create the Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes burst and their juices turn into a light, fragrant sauce. If the pan gets dry, splash in a little broth or water.
Step 3 – Add the Beans and Orzo
Pour in the butter beans, uncooked orzo pasta, and the vegetable broth. Stir well, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often so nothing sticks. The orzo should be tender but still have a little bite, and the sauce should be silky.
Step 4 – Finish and Serve
Turn off the heat. Stir in the parmesan, lemon zest, and fresh basil. For extra richness, add a small knob of butter. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve warm, with more parmesan on top if you like. For a looser, soupier dish, stir in an extra cup of hot broth before serving.
Tips
- Smash for a creamier sauce: Gently press a few tomatoes as they cook so their juices mix with the oil, making a silky sauce that hugs the orzo.
- Layer your seasoning: Sprinkle salt over the tomatoes as they cook, then taste and adjust just before serving for the most balanced flavor.
- Keep broth hot: Use warmed broth so the simmer stays steady and the orzo cooks through without slowing down.
- Brighten in two stages: Stir in lemon zest after cooking, then add a squeeze of juice at the table for fresh, lively flavor—especially helpful if the tomatoes are on the mild side.
- Smart herb timing: Mix in half the basil right at the end for gentle flavor, then scatter the rest on top for a burst of freshness.
- Add a spicy finish: A swirl of Calabrian chili paste or a drizzle of chili oil brings gentle heat and a glossy look.
- Cheese-free umami boost: If skipping dairy, mix in a little white miso or soy sauce for deep savory notes.
- Switch up the beans: Chickpeas make a great stand-in when butter beans aren’t on hand, turning it into a pantry-friendly butter bean recipe variation.
- Choose a wide skillet: This lets tomatoes cook evenly and sauce reduce quickly without overcooking the pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cook it slightly under so the orzo stays firm, then reheat with a splash of broth. It also works cold as part of a healthy orzo salad recipe for lunch the next day.
Chickpeas, cannellini beans, or even lentils work well and give the dish a slightly different texture.
Absolutely. Just add a teaspoon of white miso or nutritional yeast for savory depth.
A non-stick pan prevents the orzo from sticking. Alternatively, stir frequently while cooking and keep enough liquid in the pan.
Yes—chill it and toss with extra olive oil and herbs for a fresh tomato pasta salad variation.
Not recommended—the tomatoes and orzo can lose their texture after thawing.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Lentil pasta
- Greek pasta salad
- Creamy pasta salad
- Lemon ricotta pasta
- Bruschetta pasta
- Baked feta pasta
- Broccoli pasta
- Cold pasta salad
If you tried this Cherry tomato orzo recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
Cherry Tomato Orzo (One-Pan)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes about 4 cups — whole
- 2 cloves garlic grated or pressed
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt plus freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cans butter beans 15 oz or 400 g each can — drained and rinsed
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated parmesan or Pecorino romano
- zest of ½ lemon
- 1 handful fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Blister Tomatoes: Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add 2 pints cherry tomatoes and cook 5 minutes until skins blister.
- Make Sauce: Lower heat, add 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoons dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Cook 3–5 minutes until tomatoes burst. Add a splash of broth if dry.
- Add Orzo and Beans: Stir in 2 cans butter beans, 1 cup orzo pasta, and 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth. Simmer 5–8 minutes, stirring often, until orzo is al dente and sauce thickens.
- Finish: Off heat, stir in ¾ cup grated parmesan, zest of ½ lemon, and 1 handful fresh basil. Adjust seasoning. Serve warm with extra cheese or more broth for a saucier dish.
Notes
- Olive oil → Avocado oil or light olive oil
- Cherry tomatoes → Grape, heirloom, or roasted tomatoes
- Garlic → Garlic powder or roasted garlic
- Dried oregano → Italian seasoning or dried thyme
- Red pepper flakes → Fresh chili or omit for mild
- Butter beans → Cannellini beans, chickpeas, or lentils
- Orzo → Whole wheat orzo, ditalini, or acini di pepe
- Vegetable broth → Chicken or mushroom broth
- Parmesan → Asiago, Grana Padano, or vegan parmesan
- Lemon zest → Orange zest
- Basil/parsley → Mint or thyme
- Smash tomatoes for a creamier sauce
- Season in layers for balanced flavor
- Use hot broth to keep the simmer steady
- Add lemon twice—zest after cooking, juice at the table
- Stagger herbs—half while cooking, half on top
- Finish with spice—chili paste or chili oil
- Go dairy-free with white miso or soy sauce
- Swap beans—chickpeas for a pantry-friendly twist
- Cook in a wide skillet for even heat and fast sauce reduction
Nutrition
Hi! We are Nico & Louise
We’re here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) 🌿✨.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
This cherry tomato orzo was amazing! So fresh, easy, and healthy. My whole family loved it and m definitely making it again!
Fantastic, Annie, I’m super happy to hear. Thanks for taking valuable time to comment here.
Kindest, Louise
Thanks so much Annie, we are really happy you guys liked it!
Have a nice day,
Nico