Cheesy Chorizo Orzo

Name: Cheesy Chorizo Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 4 ounces chorizo; 1 small yellow onion (diced); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/2 cup orzo pasta; 2 medium tomatoes (chopped); 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)

My cheesy chorizo orzo is the perfect orzo pasta dish to serve up as a side dish or main dish. This is a delicious smoky chorizo that is paired with onion, tomatoes, and a rich and creamy broth base that is paired with tangy parmesan cheese.

bowl full of cheesy chorizo orzo topped with parmesan and parsley.

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This is a one-pot meal that is hearty, comforting, and bursting with rich flavors. If you are a lover of chorizo sausage this is the perfect way to create a creamy orzo that compliments the protein.

This orzo pasta is great when you want a hearty and soul-soothing dish. I love to pair my chorizo orzo recipe with some crusty bread that is smothered in butter, and a tall glass of white wine. It is a total comfort meal that is great all year round.

If you enjoy TikTok – make recipes, you might want to try this bright pink Barbie pasta. It is fun, colorful, and delicious.

Ingredients

This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. You can find the full list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

bowls of chorizo, onions, broth, orzo, parm, tomatoes, garlic, oil, parsley, and salt and pepper.

vegetable oil
chorizo
onion, diced
salt and pepper
garlic, minced
orzo pasta
tomatoes, chopped
chicken broth or chicken stock
parmesan cheese
parsley

Instructions

This is a quick overview of the instructions to make this recipe. You can find the full steps in the recipe card.

raw chorizo being cooked in a large skillet.

Brown the chorizo in a large skillet with a little oil. Add the onions and cook until soft.

diced tomatoes being added to a skillet.

Add the garlic and orzo and cook until the garlic becomes fragrant or 1-2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes as well.

cooked chorizo and orzo in a large skillet.

Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked.

parmesan cheese and parsley being sprinkled on top of chorizo orzo.

Add in the cheese, parsley, salt and pepper, and garnish with more cheese if desired.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Stir in the cheese, parsley, salt and pepper and serve, top with more cheese before serving!

Hint: I recommend watching the orzo to ensure you do not overcook it. You can cook to al dente or just a bit longer for the perfect texture.

Variations

Here are a few different ways you can change up this Spanish chorizo and orzo recipe.

Spicy – add chili pepper flakes, chili flakes, or even your favorite peppers while cooking to infuse heat into the dish. Or you can even consider adding your favorite hot sauce, or reach for a super hot chorizo.
Deluxe – Dice up some red peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and other veggies to mix in to create an ultra-loaded version. Add some cream cheese at the end to make it ultra-creamy. Then top with fresh herbs and a splash of lemon juice.
Kid-friendly – Swap the chorizo with chicken breasts that are diced into cubes. This changes the flavor and will make it more kid-friendly.

See this Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta for another flavor-packed dinner idea to add to your meal rotation.

Equipment

I do recommend you use a large frying pan or even an iron skillet for this recipe. You just want to make sure it is a non-stick surface for the easiest way to cook without food sticking to the bottom of the pan, and an easy cleanup. Also, reach for a wooden spoon to mix up the dish as it cooks.

fork full of cheesy chorizo orzo held in the air.

Storage

Store any of the orzo pasta in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Then you can warm it up on low heat on the stovetop, or heat it in the microwave. Either way, this is a dish that reheats nicely.

You can also freeze any leftovers for 4-5 months. Just use a proper freezer container, and then thaw in the fridge overnight, or defrost in the microwave and then reheat as you wish.

Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips

I do like to cook the chorizo on medium to medium-high heat to create a nice sear and fully cook the diced chorizo. It helps to add more flavor.
Make sure to use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck-on bits. This is going to help infuse more flavor into the dish.
You can control the heat factor of this recipe. Use a mild chorizo if you want light, or opt for hot or chili flakes for an extra spicy dish.
Simmering the mixture will help reduce the liquid and it will become a thicker consistency as it cooks on the stovetop. If you find the pasta is still needing to cook longer add a bit more broth to the mixture so it can soak it up.

FAQs

Is chorizo orzo pasta gluten-free?

You will find that orzo pasta does contain wheat, which is gluten. You might be able to use a gluten-free orzo if you can find it in your area. Or swap with quinoa pasta or even rice pasta.

Is orzo pasta or rice?

Orzo is confusing to many as it looks like a larger piece of rice, but it is pasta.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with chorizo cheesy orzo:

I hope you’ll like this recipe, and please, if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #mamasonabudget— I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.