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This quick pesto orzo is a simple and easy dinner that you can throw together in 15 minutes or less. My recipe can be served hot or cold, and even better, it’s easy to personalize to your family’s tastes.

orzo salad in a blue bowl.
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This orzo with pesto is the perfect quick dinner. It goes from the stovetop to the table in less than 15 minutes and utilizes tasty pantry and fridge ingredients.

This recipe is amazing, served hot or cold, as is, or “fancied up” a bit. When I’m feeling extra, I love to top ours with a drained can of white beans or some frozen air fryer shrimp.

ingredients in bowls on a grey board.

A note from Sarah

Ingredient highlight

When it comes to pesto, use what works best for you.

When my summer garden is pumping out basil, I like to make our homemade basil pesto without pine nuts.

And when our freezer supply runs out, Costco’s pesto (it’s in the cheese section by the rotisserie chickens!) is my favorite store-bought option.

olive oil and orzo in a saucepan.
Combine olive oil and uncooked orzo in a saucepan
toasted orzo in a saucepan.
Cook, stirring often until toasted
water and pasta in a saucepan.
Add water and salt and boil for 1 minute
cooked pasta in a saucepan.
Cook, uncovered, until orzo is cooked through and all the water is absorbed
ingredients and cooked pasta in a saucepan.
Add feta, pesto, and sliced tomatoes
combined ingredients and pasta in a saucepan.
Stir gently to combine

Sarah’s Cheat Codes

  • There are two options with this recipe – the short version and the (barely) longer version. The longer version (personally, I think this one tastes the best) includes the step of toasting the orzo and only takes an extra 3-5 minutes. Both options are delicious, but if you’re pressed for time, skip the toasting process.
  • If you choose not to toast the orzo, reduce the olive oil to 1 tsp. Add it with the orzo, salt, and water (see the recipe card below).
  • I find that using a serrated bread or cheese knife makes the cleanest cuts for slicing the small tomatoes in half.
a blue bowl with pesto orzo and tomatoes topped with fresh basil and feta.
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15 Minute Pesto Orzo With Tomatoes and Feta

By: Sarah Cook
Servings: 3
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
orzo salad in a blue bowl.
This quick pesto orzo is a simple and easy dinner that you can throw together in 15 minutes or less. My recipe can be served hot or cold, and even better, it's easy to personalize to your family's tastes.

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 cups water {or sub in vegetable or chicken stock}
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp pesto
  • 2/3 cup feta
  • 1 cup sliced grape tomatoes

Instructions 

  • Add olive oil to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
    1 tbsp olive oil
  • Add the orzo and stir to combine.
    1 cup orzo
  • Cook, stirring often until the orzo becomes toasted (~3-5 minutes).
  • Add the water and salt, and bring the pot to a boil for 1 minute.
    2 cups water, 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Reduce the temperature to medium-high, and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. The orzo will be ready when all the liquid has cooked out.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in the pesto, grape tomatoes, and feta.
    3 tbsp pesto, 2/3 cup feta, 1 cup sliced grape tomatoes

Notes

  1. If you choose to not toast the orzo, reduce the olive oil to 1 tsp. Add it with the orzo, salt, and water in step 4.
  2. A serrated bread or cheese knife makes the cleanest cuts for slicing the small tomatoes in half.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 921mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 857IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 209mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Fusion
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma.

Read More About Me

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2 Comments

  1. Orzo is a favourite side dish here and our little granddaughter LOVES orzo.  I am always looking for different, interesting ways to make it.  I can’t believe I never thought of pesto!  I just need to figure out a substitute for the tomatoes as I am not a fan of them uncooked (and I feel like the little one wouldn’t be a fan as well).  But that should not be terribly difficult.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    1. What about partially cooked? Could you add them to the pasta in the last few minutes of cooking? So they’ve softened before serving.

      Reply