Nani's One Pot Creamy Orzo

Name: Nani's One Pot Creamy Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup orzo pasta; 2 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup chopped zucchini; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh spinach; Salt and black pepper to taste

This comforting creamy orzo is a quick and cozy dinner packed with colorful veggies.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a one pot meal on a busy weeknight. This creamy orzo is a favorite in my house because it tastes like a fancy risotto but comes together in just a fraction of the time.

My best tip is to stir the orzo frequently while it cooks. This helps release the starches and makes the final sauce extra creamy without needing any extra heavy ingredients.

🧺 Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
2
Add the onion and cook until soft, then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3
Add the dry orzo to the pot and toast it for one minute while stirring.
4
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
5
Cover the pot and cook for about eight minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta does not stick.
6
Stir in the zucchini and cherry tomatoes, then continue cooking for three to five minutes until the veggies are tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
7
Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
8
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

💡 Tips

Serve this dish immediately while the sauce is silky and hot. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and add a splash of broth when reheating.

#Vegetarian #Dinner #Quick Dinner #Pasta #Healthy

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