Easy One Pot Orzo with Tomatoes, Corn & Zucchini

This one pot orzo with tomatoes corn and zucchini is the perfect summer meal!

Made all in one pot, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners.

Packed with so many delicious summer vegetables, this one-pot wonder is full of flavour!

I love a one-pot pasta recipe for a quick and easy meal just like this recipe and this recipe.

Why you’ll love this easy one pot orzo

• It only takes 30 minutes to make!
• You need just one large skillet with high-sides to cook this entire meal.
• It’s a versatile recipe since it can be served as a quick dinner on it’s own or as a wonderful side dish.

Ingredients for this easy one pot recipe

Butter or olive oil: you can use either butter or olive oil to saute the vegetables in.

Zucchini: the base vegetable for this recipe.

Tomatoes: cherry tomatoes or small grape tomatoes work best in this recipe.

Corn: sweet corn kernels from 2 fresh ears of corn brings the best flavour but if you are in a pinch you can use defrosted frozen corn too.

Seasonings: fresh garlic cloves, salt, dried oregano and pepper help build the flavour of this main dish.

Vegetable broth: will help to cook the pasta along with all of the other ingredients in the

Orzo: dried orzo pasta is the base for this recipe.

Parmesan cheese: shredded parmesan cheese complements the rest of the dish perfectly.

Fresh basil: cannot beat the addition of fresh basil to any pasta recipe in the summertime!

As all of the summer vegetables cook together with the broth and orzo, you get a delightfully creamy pasta dish without the use of cream. This one pot orzo with tomatoes corn and zucchini is truly a rockstar summer recipe!

Step by step process to make this one pot orzo pasta recipe

Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a high-sided skillet or pot over medium high heat.

Step 2: Once melted, add the chopped zucchini and turn to medium heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally and getting some of the zucchini browned.

Step 3: Add in the tomatoes and corn, cook for about 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften (cover the pot so they soften quicker).

Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5: Add in the broth and turn up to high heat to bring a boil.  Pour the orzo into the pot and stir into the broth. Keep at a simmer on medium / medium-low heat and cover the pot. Stir every 3-4 minutes to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is cooked to your liking.

Step 6: If you find the orzo is too dry, add a ¼ cup broth at a time, stir and cook until your desired consistency is reached.

Step 7: Once fully cooked, remove the pot from the heat, add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir in the parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve immediately with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Expert tips for making this one pot orzo with tomatoes corn and zucchini

• If one of the vegetables isn’t your favourite, double up on another one! For example, if you want to replace the corn, double up on the tomatoes or zucchini.
• Another delicious cheese you can stir in instead of parmesan cheese is feta cheese; it would be just as tasty!
• This one-pot recipe would be a great side dish for grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp.

FAQ

Does gluten-free orzo or whole wheat orzo work in this recipe?
I haven’t tested either but whole wheat orzo does have a similar cooking time so it could work.  As for gluten-free orzo, in my experience I’ve found gluten-free pasta’s often have a shorter cooking time than stated on the package. In that case, try checking the gluten-free orzo a few minutes earlier than stated on the package.

Can I substitute other vegetables in this recipe?
Yes! If one of the vegetables isn’t your favourite, you can double up on another one that you like. For example, just double the amount of tomatoes and use the same amount of zucchini if removing all the corn.  Alternatively, red bell pepper would also be a good substitution for one of the vegetables along with yellow squash.

Storage for this easy one pot orzo with tomatoes

• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can meal prep this orzo and store portioned in meal prep containers in the fridge too.
• You can reheat leftovers in the microwave by heating 45 seconds – 1 minute at a time, stirring between each, until it’s warmed to your desired temperature.

If you’re looking for an easy pasta recipe, this is the one for you!

More delicious one pot recipes to love from the blog:

One Pan Baked Chicken with Tomatoes & Oregano

Easy One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

Quick One Pot Veggie Pasta

Easy Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess