One Pot Creamy Tomato Orzo

Name: One Pot Creamy Tomato Orzo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 5 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 4 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup vegan cream (*see Notes); 1 cup uncooked orzo; 15 ounce can chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 2 cups baby spinach (sliced); 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped); optional: 1/2 cup grated vegan parmesan cheese

This Creamy Tomato Orzo simmers orzo and chickpeas in the most luscious tomato cream sauce. It’s an easy, Italian-seasoned, one-pot dinner you’ll want to make again and again!

If you love one-pot dinner recipes as much as I do, then you’ll also want to try my One Pot Vegan Pasta, this super speedy Tofu Stir Fry, and this filling Tofu Curry!

If you love my Marry Me Chickpeas recipe, you’re sure to fall for this One Pot Creamy Tomato Orzo, too.

It’s my go-to recipe when I need a quick family dinner that I know everyone will love. No one can resist the creamy Italian-seasoned sauce and al dente orzo pasta in every bite, especially when scooped up with slices of vegan garlic bread!

It doesn’t matter who you serve orzo pasta with tomatoes to—kids, adults, or meat-eaters, they’re all bound to love it. Plus, the easy tomato cream sauce is so rich and luscious that they won’t even guess that it isn’t made with real cream.

Why you’ll love this creamy orzo tomato recipe

An easy one-pot dinner recipe – Just simmer all of the ingredients in a large skillet, then enjoy! Dinner has never been so easy.
Simple ingredients, mouthwatering flavors – This recipe calls for the basics that may already be in your kitchen, like orzo pasta, canned chickpeas, dairy-free cream, and dried Italian seasonings.
Oh-so cheesy and creamy – A mix of dairy-free cream and melted vegan parmesan cheese in the sauce takes every bite over the top! Make sure you serve this with slices of crusty bread so you don’t miss out on a single drop.

using a wooden spoon to stir creamy tomato orzo in a skillet.

How to make creamy tomato orzo

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Sauté the garlic in a large pan until fragrant. Stir in the dried oregano, red chili flakes, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.

Pour the broth and cream into the pan until combined, then add the orzo and chickpeas. Heat to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer.

Make this meal extra satisfying by swapping the canned chickpeas for sliced Italian vegan sausage or sliced vegan chicken, or top each bowl with crispy pan fried tofu.

chickpeas and orzo in a loose orange sauce in a skillet.

Stir in the baby spinach, basil, and parmesan. Adjust the consistency with more broth or water after the spinach is wilted, then take the pan off the heat.

Serve the vegan tomato orzo in bowls with fresh basil and parmesan on top and with fresh bread on the side. Enjoy!

chopped spinach on top of creamy tomato orzo in a skillet.

Frequently asked questions

What should I serve with tomato orzo?

First things first, always make sure you have some bread on the side of this easy vegan dinner. Something crusty and thick, like sourdough, ciabatta, garlic bread, or homemade artisan bread, will sop up the creamy tomato sauce like a sponge.

For a complete family-friendly dinner, I recommend pairing this with a kale caesar salad for an appetizer, a side of roasted potato wedges or garlicky cauliflower, and chocolate mousse for dessert.

What else can I add to this?

So much! Aside from the vegan meats listed in the ‘How To’ instructions above, you can sauté a bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms with the garlic and seasonings. You can also stir chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for a punch of umami.

What kind of vegan cream do you recommend?

I recommend using cashew cream in the sauce because it’s easy to make at home and budget-friendly. You can also use a can of full-fat coconut milk or a store-bought vegan cream if you prefer.

What can I use instead of orzo?

An equal amount of another very small pasta, like ditalini or acini de pepe, will work just as well. Quinoa or rice will also work as a substitute.

How do I store the leftovers?

Once the leftover tomato orzo is cool, pack it into airtight containers and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.