💼 The Ultimate Work Lunch

Creamy orzo with garlic, parmesan, and no cream involved! This creamy orzo keeps things light and fresh, with sweet cherry tomatoes stewed in garlicky olive oil until they burst to make a fresh tomato sauce. This easy summer recipe is a vegetarian dinner that comes together in one pan and 30 minutes or less. Plus, this one-pan pasta is on your table in 30 minutes or less! #orzo #tomatopasta #tomatoes #pastarecipe #summerrecipes

What to Serve with Creamy Orzo:
In the summertime, I like to really lean-in to juicy tomato season and serve this creamy orzo with a fresh tomato salad.

Creamy Orzo Ingredients
This creamy orzo recipe uses a handful of easy-to-find ingredients to make a flavorful, comforting weeknight dinner. Here’s what you’ll need:
▢5 cups cherry tomatoes (about 1.5 pounds)
▢2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
▢4 garlic cloves, minced
▢Kosher salt
▢Ground black pepper
▢2 cups dry orzo
▢Water or broth (3-4 cups)
▢1 cup Greek yogurt
▢¼ cup to ½ cup grated parmesan or pecorino Romano, or more to your liking
▢1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. Blister the cherry tomatoes. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tomatoes (whole) and garlic and season with a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Stir to combine, then cover the pan until the tomatoes are softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Stew the tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to mash the softened tomatoes. Let them cook, uncovered, until they have softened and let out a lot of juice, about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Cook the orzo. Add the orzo and cover with water or broth by about 1 inch. Add a big pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Let the pasta and tomatoes cook over medium heat (uncovered), stirring occasionally to prevent it from scorching at the bottom.
4. Temper the yogurt. Before the orzo has absorbed the liquid, spoon some of the warm tomato-ey broth into a large measuring cup. Add the yogurt and whisk to combine, bringing the yogurt to room temperature.
5. Combine. When the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the juice, about 10 minutes, turn the heat off. Add the warmed yogurt and stir to combine.
6. Finish and serve. Stir in the cheese and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking and serve.

In this practical tutorial, The Mediterranean Dish shows you how to create a lunch that delivers:

• ⚡ Sustained Energy: No afternoon crashes or brain fog—stay sharp all day
• 🎯 Mental Clarity: Nutrients that support focus and cognitive performance
• 💪 Filling & Satisfying: Keeps hunger at bay until dinner time
• 📦 Meal Prep Friendly: Travels well and tastes great hours later
• 🚫 No Afternoon Slump: Balanced macros prevent the post-lunch energy dip