Cheesy Tomato Chorizo Orzo
This Cheesy Tomato Chorizo Orzo is a delicious and easy one-pot meal that combines the flavors of chorizo sausage, tomatoes, and creamy orzo pasta. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
If you are looking for a hearty and flavorful dish that requires minimal effort and cleanup, this is the perfect choice. The combination of spicy chorizo sausage, tangy tomatoes, and creamy orzo pasta creates a mouthwatering meal that will satisfy any craving.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings.
- One-Pot Wonder: With only one pot needed from start to finish, clean-up is a breeze.
- Flavorful: The spicy kick of the chorizo pairs perfectly with the tangy tomato and the rich, cheesy orzo for a taste that is irresistibly delicious.
- Comforting: It’s a hearty and comforting dish that’s guaranteed to satisfy your hunger.
🛒Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this one-pot meal. Gather the ingredients and get ready to enjoy this simple meal with your family and friends.
- vegetable oil
- chorizo
- small yellow onion
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic cloves
- orzo pasta
- medium tomatoes
- chicken broth
- Parmesan cheese
- chopped parsley
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make Cheesy Tomato Chorizo Orzo
Making this comfort food meal is so simple. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: Cook the chorizo and onions
In a large pan add the oil and chorizo and cook on medium to high heat, stirring occasionally. Once it starts to brown add in the onions and cook until soft, around 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and orzo and cook until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes as well.
Step 2: Add the broth and pasta
Add the broth and bring the mixture up to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and there is no more broth.
Step 3: Add the cheese and seasonings
Stir in the cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper, and serve, top with more cheese before serving!
📝Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!
- Vegetarian: Swap out the chorizo for a plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
- Spicy: If you’re a fan of heat, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to give the dish an extra kick.
- Protein-Packed: Add cooked chicken or shrimp for an extra dose of protein.
Are you looking for another delicious orzo recipe? If so, check out this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe next time.
🥄 Equipment
You only need a couple of tools to help you make this recipe. Gather these tools you can enjoy this tasty recipe.
- large skillet
- wooden spoon
🥫 Storage
Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing – You can also freeze this dish in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serve With
For a complete meal, we love to serve this dish with a fresh green side dish like this Copycat Chick-fil-A kale Salad and a homemade bread side like this No Knead Dutch Oven Bread.
💭 Tips
For those attempting this delightful Cheesy Tomato Chorizo Orzo for the first time, consider these tips to elevate your cooking experience:
- Opt for high-quality chorizo to ensure the best flavor; it truly makes a difference.
- Avoid overcooking the orzo to maintain a good texture. Aim for al dente; it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives a superior melt and flavor compared to pre-grated options which often contain anti-caking agents.
- Incorporating freshly chopped parsley provides a burst of color and a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the dish.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Absolutely! This recipe is great for meal prep or serving a large crowd. If you’re planning to double the ingredients, make sure to use a larger pot or skillet so that everything cooks evenly. Also, keep in mind that the cooking time might increase slightly, so adjust accordingly and check the doneness of the pasta regularly.
Yes, you can. If you don’t have orzo on hand or prefer another type of pasta, feel free to substitute it with something similar like ditalini, small shells, or even rice. Just be aware that cooking times may vary, so adjust the cooking time based on the pasta package instructions.
For an even creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir it well until it’s fully incorporated, and you’ll get a richer sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
🍽 More Pasta Recipes
Do you enjoy pasta recipes? If so, give these recipes a try:
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Cheesy Tomato Chorizo Orzo
Equipment
- large skillet
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 ounces chorizo
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cup orzo pasta
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- In a large pan add the oil and chorizo and cook on medium to high heat, stirring occasionally. Once it starts to brown add in the onions and cook until soft, around 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and orzo and cook until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes as well.
- Add the broth and bring the mixture up to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and there is no more broth.
- Stir in the cheese, parsley, salt and pepper and serve, top with more cheese before serving!
