One Pan Orzo and White Beans

This delicious orzo pasta recipe is made in one pan with white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and orzo. It’s an easy vegetarian dinner that is ready in under 30 minutes.

Creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor, this one-pan orzo is the kind of dinner that immediately becomes a favorite. It’s inspired by the viral “marry me” sauce, but made even easier with quick-cooking pasta and pantry staples. If you love meals that feel fancy but take less than 30 minutes to prepare, this one’s about to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Butter: This adds richness to the dish, but olive oil works if you prefer.
• Onion & garlic: These add a savory base of flavor.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Use the oil-packed kind for the best flavor. I’ve explained more below if you’re not sure which kind you have.
• White beans: I used cannellini beans but Great Northern beans work beautifully, too.
• Tomato paste: This deepens the sauce and adds an umami falvor.
• Orzo: This rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly and releases just enough starch to create a creamy texture when mixed with the reserved pasta water. You can also use gluten-free orzo like DeLallo if needed, but the sauce won’t be quite as creamy.
• Vegetable broth: Use low-sodium if possible so you can control the salt. I like the Better Than Bouillon vegetable base.
• Heavy cream: A little goes a long way here. If you want a vegan option, you can use cashew cream.
• Spinach: Adds color and freshness at the end. Kale works too, just make sure to remove the stems and let it sit a bit longer.

Types of Sun-Dried Tomatoes

There are two main types of sun-dried tomatoes: dry-packed and oil-packed.

Dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes are made by drying fresh tomatoes in the sun until most of their moisture is gone. They’re sold without any added liquid, resulting in a chewy texture and a deeply concentrated tomato flavor. Typically, they need to be rehydrated in water or oil before being used in recipes. I don’t recommend them for this orzo recipe.

Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are prepared by soaking fresh tomatoes in oil and herbs before drying them in the sun. They’re then packed in the same flavorful oil and herbs, giving them a softer, more tender texture. Unlike their dry-packed counterparts, oil-packed tomatoes are often ready to use straight from the jar and boast a richer, more savory flavor thanks to the infused oil. For this recipe, you’ll need oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.

Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes Healthy?

Sun-dried tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with potential health benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. They’re also packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron, making them both flavorful and nourishing. Because they’re packed in oil, they do tend to be high in fat, but a little bit goes a long way in terms of flavor.

Other Ways to Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you have leftover sun-dried tomatoes, here are a few ways to use them:

• Make a batch of this vegan pasta salad.
• Try this skillet gnocchi recipe which has a similar flavor profile to this orzo recipe!
• Use them as a topping for pizzas, flatbreads, or bruschetta.

Variations for This Recipe

• Swap your pasta: If you don’t have orzo, this can work with macaroni or other small pasta shapes, but you may need to add a little bit more. One cup of orzo is about 180g, so try to use the same amount of whatever pasta shape you use.
• Add extra veggies: Stir in mushrooms, shredded zucchini, or roasted red peppers.
• Make it vegan: Use olive oil instead of butter and swap in cashew cream for the heavy cream.
• Try it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper with the garlic.

Tips for Reheating Leftover Orzo

If you plan to store leftovers, I recommend saving a little bit of extra pasta water to prevent the pasta from drying out. Store the leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the extra pasta water in a small jar or container. Add a splash of the pasta water to each portion before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir to combine. If you forget to save the pasta water, you can use a splash of cream or broth instead.

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Marry Me Orzo

Instructions