This Marry Me Orzo is a quick, one-pan meal that delivers big comfort, bold flavor, and creamy goodnessโall in under 30 minutes, using simple ingredients you already have at home.
For more one-pot dinner, check out our butter bean stew, lemon orzo with zucchini, marry me butter beans, and curry lentil soup.
The Weeknight Meal Thatโs Comforting, Nourishing, and Ready in 30
If youโre craving something cozy, flavorful, and impossibly creamyโall without spending hours in the kitchenโthis Marry Me Orzo is the recipe for you.
๐ Louise and I make this often when we want a quick, nourishing dinner that still feels a little special. This one-pan skillet orzo recipe combines tender pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, and spinach in a rich, velvety sauce that tastes like you stirred it all day. But guess what? Itโs ready in under 30 minutes!
Whether you’re cooking for date night, meal prepping for the week, or just need a heart-healthy pasta recipe (skip the cream, go for half-and-half) the whole family will enjoy, this dish checks every box. Itโs vegetarian, protein-packed, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. ๐
What we love most is how comforting it isโcreamy without being heavy, and loaded with plant-based goodness. It’s also easy to customize with what you have on hand. From busy weeknights to cozy Sunday dinners, this easy orzo dinner is sure to become a staple at your table. ๐ฝ๏ธ
Simple. Satisfying. And yesโtotally marriage material. ๐
Ingredients
Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin adds richness. Swap with avocado oil or butter.
- Garlic: Fresh is best. Sub ยฝ tsp garlic powder if needed.
- Red pepper flakes: For mild heat. Omit or use a pinch of cayenne.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth. Swap with crushed tomatoes or marinara.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Chewy and tangy. Use roasted red peppers or fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Cannellini beans: Creamy and protein-rich. Try chickpeas or great northern beansโperfect for a pantry staple orzo dinner.
- Orzo: Short pasta that absorbs flavor well. Sub ditalini or pearl couscous for a twist in this easy orzo dinner.
- Vegetable broth: Builds flavor. Use chicken broth or water with bouillon.
- Dried oregano: Classic. Swap with thyme or Italian seasoning.
- Salt + black pepper: Season to taste. Garlic salt works too.
- Heavy cream or half-and-half: Adds richness. For a creamy tuscan orzo without heavy cream, use coconut milk, oat cream, or thinned Greek yogurt.
- Grated parmesan: Brings umami. Use nutritional yeast or vegan parm as needed.
- Fresh spinach: Adds color and nutrients. Sub with kale, chard, or thawed frozen spinach.
- Lemon zest and juice: Brightens the dish, but it’s optional.
How to Make Marry Me Orzo
1. Build the Flavor Base
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add grated garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrantโdonโt let the garlic brown.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until it darkens and smells rich.
2. Toast the Orzo
Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, and dry orzo. Sautรฉ everything together for another minute to coat the orzo in flavor.
3. Simmer the Orzo
Pour in the vegetable broth, add oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If it looks dry, add a splash more broth or water to keep it creamy.
4. Make It Creamy and Cozy
Lower the heat. Stir in the cream, grated parmesan, and fresh spinach. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, until the spinach wilts and the sauce turns glossy and creamyโperfect for a cozy weeknight dinner with orzo.
5. Brighten and Serve
Turn off the heat. Add the zest and juice of half a lemon. Spoon into bowls and top with fresh basil, more parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. This dish is quick, comforting, and makes a wonderful romantic pasta dinner idea any night of the week.
Tips
- Toast the orzo before simmering: Sautรฉing the orzo with tomato paste helps it soak up flavor and prevents it from turning mushyโkey for a perfect skillet orzo recipe.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes: Theyโre more flavorful and tender. Drain excess oil before chopping so the dish doesnโt become greasy.
- Stir often as it simmers: Orzo cooks like risottoโfrequent stirring gives you a creamy texture without needing too much cream.
- Donโt overcook the spinach: Add it at the end and let it just wilt. This keeps the color bright and adds freshness to your orzo with spinach and parmesan.
- Add lemon at the end: Stirring in lemon juice and zest after cooking boosts flavor and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Use broth instead of water: This small step adds big flavor and keeps your dish cozy without extra caloriesโgreat for a heart-healthy pasta recipe.
- Taste before serving: Parmesan is salty, so season at the end to avoid overdoing it.
- Customize it easily: Add sautรฉed mushrooms, frozen peas, or grilled chicken to make it heartier.
- Leftovers are even better: The flavors deepen after a day. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to bring it back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This orzo tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to loosen up the orzo in creamy sauce.
You can use half-and-half, coconut milk, a non-dairy creamer, or a mix of Greek yogurt and broth. This still gives you that creamy finish while making it a bit lighter.
Absolutely. Swap the cream for plant-based alternatives and use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast. It becomes a comforting, crowd-pleasing vegetarian marry me pasta.
No need to rinse it. Orzo is just pasta and does not require rinsing.
Yes, just thaw it first and squeeze out excess water to avoid watering down the sauce.
Only mildly, from the red pepper flakes. You can leave them out or add more depending on your heat preference.
A large skillet or sautรฉ pan works best to cook everything evenly and reduce the liquid properly.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Marry me chickpeas
- Lentil curry
- Broccoli pasta
- Chickpea curry
- Tofu pasta
- Peanut stew
- Greek zucchini patties
- Stuffed zucchini
If you tried this marry me orzo recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a ๐ star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
Marry Me Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- ยผ teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ยพ cups sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 can cannellini beans (15 oz / 400 g) or any other white bean
- 1ยฝ cup orzo
- 3 cups vegetable broth low-sodium – plus a little more to adjust consistency
- 1ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
- ยพ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ cup half-and-half sub non-dairy creamer or heavy cream
- ยฝ cup grated parmesan
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- ยฝ lemon zest and juice
Instructions
- Build Flavor Base: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Add 2 cloves garlic (grated) and ยผ teaspoons red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Toast the Orzo: Add 3 tablespoons tomato paste and sautรฉ for a minute, then add ยพ cups sun-dried tomatoes, 1 can cannellini beans, and 1ยฝ cup orzo. Cook 1โ2 minutes, stirring to coat.
- Simmer the Orzo: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, 1ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano, ยพ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 6โ8 minutes, stirring often, until orzo is tender.
- Make it Creamy: Lower heat. Stir in ยฝ cup half-and-half (or cream), ยฝ cup grated parmesan, and 5 ounces fresh spinach. Cook 1โ2 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce is creamy.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off heat. Add zest and juice of ยฝ lemon. Optionally, serve with basil if your want, extra parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Olive oil โ avocado oil or butter
- Garlic โ ยฝ tsp garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes โ cayenne or omit
- Tomato paste โ crushed tomatoes or marinara
- Sun-dried tomatoes โ roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes
- Cannellini beans โ chickpeas or great northern beans
- Orzo โ ditalini or pearl couscous
- Vegetable broth โ chicken broth or bouillon + water
- Dried oregano โ thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper โ garlic salt or adjust to taste
- Heavy cream โ oat cream, coconut milk, or thinned Greek yogurt
- Parmesan โ vegan parm or nutritional yeast
- Fresh spinach โ kale, chard, or frozen spinach
- Lemon zest & juice โ optional or sub with vinegar/wine
- Toast the orzo with the tomato paste for max flavor and no mush.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra richnessโjust drain the excess oil.
- Stir often while it simmers to get that creamy, risotto-like texture.
- Add spinach last so it stays bright, fresh, and tender.
- Finish with lemon to cut the richness and lift all the flavors.
- Use broth, not waterโit’s a small step that adds big flavor.
- Season at the endโparmesan is salty, so taste before you add more.
- Make it your own with mushrooms, peas, or even grilled chicken.
- Save those leftoversโtheyโre even better the next day with a splash of broth.
Nutrition
Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Weโre here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) ๐ฟโจ.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
Scrumptious easy to follow recipe
Iโve made this twice, my husband likes it, and we are now making it part of our frequent food rotation. It doesnโt need mushrooms, but I add them because I like them in almost everything.
Hi Sarah! Yay, Iโm really happy itโs made it into your regular rotation ๐ฅณ
Mushrooms in everything? Yes, I TOTALLY get it.. they make everything better! Thanks for being here,
Louise
I made this recipe using plant based substitutions (coconut cream and nutritional yeast) and turned out amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU for this fantastic recipe!!!!
Thanks so much, Michael! Iโm thrilled the plant-based swaps worked out so well, coconut cream and nutritional yeast are such great picks ๐ช.
Have a fantastic weekend ๐ Best, Louise
Delicious