Tuscan Orzo

Tuscan orzo is a one-pot meal made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. It’s creamy, cozy comfort food at its best.

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Pasta, veggies, and an addictively creamy sauce? Say no more! I’m all about quick one-pot weeknight meals these days; juggling work, a toddler, and a barnyard full of animals to care for (I see you, busy moms!). This Tuscan Orzo recipe gets the job done! Made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients, this big-batch pasta dish will feed the whole family. Creamy, tomatoey pasta with wilty spinach is cozy comfort food at its best.

What Is Tuscan Orzo?

Tuscan orzo is a dish that is made in the Tuscan tradition of simple, inexpensive meals that can easily be made in large amounts. Orzo pasta is extra delicious in cooked in a creamy tomatoey broth until it is rich, thick, and super flavorful!

Here’s what you’ll need to make Tuscan orzo:

Olive Oil: Helps the onions and garlic cook without burning.
Butter: Adds richness to the dish.
Onion: Adds a touch of sweet and earthy flavor.
Garlic: Enhances the savory and earthy flavors of the dish.
Italian Seasoning: Adds that classic Italian flavor.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a pop of acidity that balances and brightens this creamy dish.
Dijon Mustard: Has a spicy, slightly bitter flavor that enhances the savory elements of this dish.
Petite Diced Tomatoes: You can choose to strain your canned tomatoes and make up for the ½ cup of liquid (give or take) by adding a little more vegetable broth. I love the tomatoey flavor (and extra vitamin C!), so I left the tomato juice in.
Orzo Pasta: Despite its rice-like shape, this is actually a type of pasta. It gives this dish a texture similar to risotto but in much less time.
Vegetable Broth: I used vegetable bouillon to keep this budget-friendly.
Heavy Cream: Makes this dish super rich and creamy.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory umami flavor.
Baby Spinach: A great way to sneak in some greens and adds a mellow vegetal flavor.
Parsley: Adds a pop of freshness and color.
Salt and Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

What Else Can I Add?

This is a pretty hefty dish all by itself and makes a great vegetarian main, but you can add protein to it if you like. Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breast would make an excellent addition if you have meat-eaters in the fam. Personally, I love adding chopped kalamata olives, balsamic roasted mushrooms, and extra veggies. Substituting the dairy in this recipe is so easy these days, too. So, if you’re vegan, you can easily tweak it to your liking using plant-based milks and cheeses!