A creamy, one pot cherry tomato Boursin orzo that comes together in 15 minutes. An elegant, easy side dish for a group, made with a whole wheel of Boursin and sweet burst tomatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Tomato Boursin Orzo
This cherry tomato Boursin orzo is the side dish I make all summer long, and it never fails to impress. It is creamy, savory, and studded with sweet burst tomatoes, yet the whole thing comes together in one pot in about 15 minutes. It feels elegant enough for a dinner party but is secretly one of the easiest things you can make.
The magic of this Boursin orzo is how a few simple ingredients turn into something so rich and special. A whole wheel of herb and garlic Boursin melts right into the broth, coating every bit of orzo in a velvety, cheesy sauce, while the cherry tomatoes soften and burst into little pops of sweetness. It tastes like it took real effort, and no one needs to know it did not.
It is also endlessly flexible. Serve this cherry tomato Boursin orzo as a side for a crowd, or turn it into a cozy main. We ended up serving ours with crumbled bacon after a beach day, and it was the perfect comforting dinner.
Grab the Best Tomatoes You Can Find
It is finally tomato season, and I cannot recommend enough that you head to the farmers market and grab a basket of cherry or sun gold tomatoes. This is the time of year when they are at their sweetest and most flavorful, and they truly make this dish. Sun golds in particular are like little candy tomatoes, and they burst into the sauce beautifully.
Because this recipe leans on just a handful of ingredients, the quality of your tomatoes really shines through. If you can get them fresh and in season, this cherry tomato Boursin orzo goes from great to unforgettable.
What You Need to Make Boursin Orzo
The full list with substitutions is in the ingredients section below, but here is the gist: orzo, a wheel of herb and garlic Boursin, cherry or sun gold tomatoes, olive oil, bone broth, water, Italian seasoning or fresh basil, and garlic. To serve, you will want freshly grated Parmesan, chili flakes, and black pepper.
How to Make Cherry Tomato Boursin Orzo
The beauty of this recipe is that everything comes together in one pot. Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes and cook for a few minutes, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst. Then nestle the whole wheel of Boursin right into the middle.
Add the orzo on top of the tomatoes, then pour in the bone broth, water, and Italian seasoning. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally so the orzo does not stick, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Once the orzo is cooked, stir everything together, mashing the melted Boursin and the burst tomatoes into a silky, creamy sauce that coats every bite. If it looks a little thick, add a splash more water or broth to loosen it. Finish your Boursin orzo with freshly grated Parmesan, a pinch of chili flakes, and black pepper, and serve it right away.
Why the One Pot Method Works
Cooking the orzo directly in the broth is the trick to this whole dish. Instead of boiling and draining, the orzo soaks up all that savory bone broth and releases its starch, which thickens everything into a creamy, risotto-like sauce without any cream. The Boursin melts right in and the tomatoes burst, so the sauce builds itself as the orzo cooks.
It also means far less cleanup, since there is just one pot to wash. Use a wide pot or deep skillet so the orzo has room to cook evenly, and stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
Tips for the Best Boursin Orzo
Use the sweetest cherry or sun gold tomatoes you can find, ideally from the farmers market in peak season.
Stir occasionally as the orzo cooks so it does not stick and cooks evenly into a creamy texture.
Let the Boursin melt fully before stirring, then mash it into the tomatoes for the silkiest sauce.
Add a splash of water or broth at the end if the orzo tightens up, since it keeps absorbing liquid as it sits.
Taste before serving and adjust the salt, since bone broth and Parmesan both add saltiness.
What to Serve With Cherry Tomato Boursin Orzo
This cherry tomato Boursin orzo is a dream side dish for a group. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, steak, salmon, or shrimp, and it is lovely alongside a simple green salad and crusty bread. Because it feels a little elegant, it is perfect for a summer dinner party or a backyard cookout.
Turn It Into a Cozy Main
While this Boursin orzo is a fantastic side, it is just as good as a main. After our beach day, we served ours with crumbled bacon stirred right in, and it turned into the coziest, most comforting dinner. You can also top it with grilled chicken, sausage, or shrimp to make it a full meal. It is one of those versatile dishes that works for both a casual weeknight and a special occasion.
Make-Ahead and Storage
This Boursin orzo is best fresh, while the sauce is creamy and the tomatoes are juicy, but leftovers are still delicious. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so it will thicken in the fridge. To reheat, warm it gently in a pot with a splash of broth or water, stirring until the sauce comes back together and turns creamy again. A little extra Parmesan freshens it right up.
Boursin orzo is a creamy one pot pasta dish where a whole wheel of Boursin cheese melts into broth to coat tender orzo in a rich, garlicky sauce. This version adds cherry tomatoes that burst and sweeten as everything cooks together.
Can I use a different cheese instead of Boursin?
Boursin gives the creamiest, most flavorful result, but garlic and herb cream cheese is a good substitute. You can also stir in a little extra Parmesan for more depth.
What kind of tomatoes are best?
Sweet cherry or sun gold tomatoes are perfect because they burst into the sauce. In-season tomatoes from the farmers market make a big difference. Halved grape tomatoes work too.
Can I make Boursin orzo a main dish?
Absolutely. Stir in crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, sausage, or shrimp to turn this side into a hearty, comforting dinner.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water, stirring until the sauce is creamy again.
How To Make Cherry Tomato Boursin Orzo (Easy One Pot Side Dish)
The Ingredients
INGREDIENTS + SUBSTITUTES
1 1/2 cups orzo — the base of the dish. Sub: any small pasta like ditalini or pearl couscous.
1 wheel herb and garlic Boursin — melts into a rich, creamy sauce. Sub: garlic and herb cream cheese, or the shallot and chive Boursin.
2 cups cherry or sun gold tomatoes — the star. They burst and sweeten as they cook. Sub: halved grape tomatoes.
2 tbsp olive oil — for cooking the garlic and tomatoes. Sub: butter.
2 cups bone broth — cooks the orzo and adds savory depth. Sub: chicken or vegetable stock.
1/2 cup water — helps the orzo cook up evenly and creamy.
2 tsp Italian seasoning or fresh basil — the herby backbone. Sub: dried oregano and thyme.
Make it a meal: top with crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
Add greens: stir in a handful of spinach or arugula at the end.
More veg: fold in zucchini, asparagus, or peas.
Extra creamy: finish with a splash of cream or more Parmesan.
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What You Need
The Steps
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes and cook for a few minutes, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst.
Nestle the whole wheel of Boursin into the middle.
Add the orzo on top of the tomatoes, then pour in the bone broth, water, and Italian seasoning.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Stir everything together, mashing the melted Boursin and burst tomatoes into a creamy sauce. Add a splash of water or broth if it is too thick.
Serve with freshly grated Parmesan, chili flakes, and black pepper. For a cozy dinner, stir in crumbled bacon.
Recipe Tips
Use the sweetest in-season cherry or sun gold tomatoes you can find. Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so reheat with a splash of broth or water. Turn it into a main with crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, sausage, or shrimp.
This cherry tomato Boursin orzo is my favorite easy side dish of the summer: creamy, savory, and studded with sweet burst tomatoes, all made in one pot in about 15 minutes. A whole wheel of Boursin melts into savory broth to coat every bit of orzo, and it feels so elegant for how simple it is.
To serve: freshly grated Parmesan, chili flakes, and black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes and cook for a few minutes, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst.
Nestle the whole wheel of Boursin into the middle.
Add the orzo on top of the tomatoes, then pour in the bone broth, water, and Italian seasoning.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Stir everything together, mashing the melted Boursin and burst tomatoes into a creamy sauce. Add a splash of water or broth if it is too thick.
Serve with freshly grated Parmesan, chili flakes, and black pepper. For a cozy dinner, stir in crumbled bacon.
Notes
Use the sweetest in-season cherry or sun gold tomatoes you can find. Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so reheat with a splash of broth or water. Turn it into a main with crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, sausage, or shrimp.
Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
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