Creamy One-Pot Marry Me Orzo Recipe Easy Lemon Feta Roasted Tomatoes
A quick and easy creamy one-pot orzo dish featuring tangy lemon, salty feta, and sweet roasted tomatoes, perfect for cozy dinners or impressing on date night.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta (about 180g)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 300g), halved
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth (720ml)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 75g)
- A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, a pinch (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread halved cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly. Roast for 20-25 minutes until soft, caramelized, and slightly blistered.
- While tomatoes roast, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add dry orzo to the skillet. Stir to coat pasta in olive oil and garlic, toasting lightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in broth, lemon juice, and add lemon zest. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender but slightly firm.
- If orzo looks too dry, add a splash more broth or water and stir in. Sauce should be creamy but not soupy.
- Remove from heat and fold in roasted tomatoes, crumbled feta, and chopped basil. Gently mix to combine.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra basil leaves or a lemon wedge if desired.
Notes
Do not skip roasting the tomatoes as it transforms their flavor from sharp and acidic to sweet and savory. Toasting the orzo before adding broth adds nuttiness. Add broth gradually to avoid mushy orzo. Fold in feta gently to retain texture. For vegan version, use vegetable broth and dairy-free feta or tofu crumble. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with rice pasta or quinoa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
Keywords: one-pot, orzo, creamy, lemon, feta, roasted tomatoes, easy dinner, quick meal, vegetarian, comfort food