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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Orzo Risotto with Tomato & Mascarpone

    Author: Amy Fulwood | Published: Mar 1, 2020 | Modified: Mar 3, 2024

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    This creamy one pot orzo risotto is made with tomatoes and mascarpone which makes it such an indulgent and tasty main meal. Serve topped with a sprinkling of parmesan for an easy weeknight dinner.

    Orzo risotto is a thing and it's so much better than normal risotto.

    Overhead shot of orzo risotto with basil on a marble background
    Orzotto in a white pot with a checked cloth

    Yeah, I said it. I really do think pretty much everything can be improved by using pasta. This orzo risotto recipe is so creamy and comforting just like a traditional risotto but it's quicker and easier thanks to the quick cooking pasta which I love.

    I also took a short cut to extra creaminess by adding mascarpone to the dish just before serving. This helped to make the whole thing feel super indulgent and tasty. I cannot get enough.

    In terms of other flavours I kept it pretty simple with some parsley and basil, chopped tomatoes and of course plenty of onion and garlic. You could, of course, add extra veggies or protein if you like.

    If you love orzo with a creamy sauce like this you should make sure to try out my creamy chicken orzo one pot too!

    Jump to:
    • Why we love this orzo risotto...
    • Ingredients
    • How to make it
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Recipe
    Overhead shot of tomato orzo on a marble surface
    Close up of one pot orzo with basil

    Why we love this orzo risotto...

    First off, it's so quick and easy to make with just a few quick steps until the pasta is tender and the dish is ready to eat. 

    It's also so quick and comes together much more quickly than a normal risotto because the orzo cooks in half the time. 

    This is also a lovely vegetarian main option which would be perfect for feeding a crowd if you've got veggie guests coming over but it's still guaranteed to please meat eaters. Alternatively, you could serve it as a side dish to steak or chicken.

    You can easily add meat or vegetables to this base recipe and really make it your own. Stir through cooked chicken before serving or try stirring through a few handfuls of spinach.

    Overhead shot of skillet orzo with mascarpone on a marble background
    Overhead close up of orzotto with basil

    Ingredients

    Onion and Garlic

    Vegetable Stock: You can use store bought or homemade, whatever you have on hand.

    Chopped Tomatoes: Go for your favourite brand.

    Mascarpone: This adds such an amazing creaminess to the orzo.

    Orzo Pasta: This quick cooking pasta is key to making this dish so simple.

    Parsley and Basil: These fresh herbs add so much flavour to the finished dish!

    Overhead shot of orzo risotto on a marble surface
    Close up of one pot orzo with a wooden spoon

    How to make it

    Start the risotto: Heat the oil over a medium heat and fry the onion and garlic until softened then season well.

    Cook the pasta: Add the stocks and tomatoes to the pot and bring to a simmer then add the orzo and parsley and cook until the orzo is al dente.

    Finish: Reduce the heat and add the mascarpone and grated parmesan cheese and stir through then serve.

    Overhead shot of tomato and mascarpone orzo with a wooden spoon

    Variations

    Add some veggies for some added flavour and texture. Frozen peas stirred through a couple of minutes before serving would be delicious or try fried sliced mushrooms.

    A traditional rice risotto often includes white wine and I think it would be a great addition here! Just add a splash before adding the stock and allow to bubble for a couple of minutes so that the alcohol can cook off.

    Try different herbs like thyme or oregano for a different flavour profile.

    Serve with a drizzle of chilli oil for a little spicy kick.

    White pot of orzo risotto with a wooden spoon

    FAQs

    What is the difference between risotto and orzo?

    Risotto is normally made with risotto rice (technically known as arborio rice) where as orzo is not a rice but a type of pasta.

    Can I freeze orzo risotto?

    You can freeze this recipe. Store in an airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, keep in mind that the orzo may disintegrate slightly and the texture of the risotto might become a little looser.

    Want more? Try these other pasta recipes!

    • Pesto Pasta Bake with Giant Shells
    • Pork Pasta with Dried Mushrooms & Spinach
    • Smoked Salmon Pasta with Asparagus
    • Vodka Pasta Sauce with Sun Dried Tomato
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
    • Mushroom Stroganoff with Rosemary
    • Vegetarian Baked Ziti

    Recipe

    Overhead shot of orzo risotto on a marble surface

    Orzo Risotto with Tomato & Mascarpone

    This creamy one pot orzo risotto is made with tomatoes and mascarpone which makes it such an indulgent and tasty main meal. Serve topped with a sprinkling of parmesan for an easy weeknight dinner.
    4.56 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 851kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion chopped
    • 4 cloves Garlic crushed
    • 1 litre Vegetable Stock
    • 1 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
    • 250 g Mascarpone
    • 500 g Orzo
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
    • 30 g Parmesan grated
    • Salt and Pepper
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a pot over a medium heat and add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes then add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes. Add a big pinch of salt and pepper.
    • Pour in the stock and chopped tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the orzo and parsley and simmer for about 20 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
    • Stir through the mascarpone and parmesan and serve.
    Nutrition Facts
    Orzo Risotto with Tomato & Mascarpone
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 851 Calories from Fat 324
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 36g55%
    Saturated Fat 20g100%
    Cholesterol 68mg23%
    Sodium 1307mg54%
    Potassium 519mg15%
    Carbohydrates 106g35%
    Fiber 6g24%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 25g50%
    Vitamin A 1667IU33%
    Vitamin C 14mg17%
    Calcium 245mg25%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image for orzo risotto with text overlay

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    Comments

    1. Caroline says

      March 03, 2020 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      I love how creamy this becomes with the mascarpone in there, but also with that great tomato flavor - it looks so comforting and tasty!

      Reply
    2. Krissy Allori says

      March 02, 2020 at 11:17 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing. So creamy. I am going to be trying it out very soon for sure.

      Reply
    3. Jayne says

      March 02, 2020 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love making risotto and the flavors in this recipes are amazing.

      Reply
    4. Mirlene says

      March 02, 2020 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      This risotto looks absolutely fantastic - way better than most of the recipes I have stumbled upon recently. I definitely need to fix it some time soon!

      Reply
    5. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says

      March 02, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      The creaminess of this ! OUT OF CONTROL! I would love this - no meat needed for me, it looks just perfect as is! Love the pics too.

      Reply
    6. Kiki Johnson says

      March 02, 2020 at 10:33 pm

      5 stars
      OMG Orzo Risotto- or shall we say Orzotto? Such a creative idea for a vegetarian main!

      Reply
    4.56 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hey, I'm Amy Fulwood!

    Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

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