Caprese orzo pasta is loaded with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and chopped fresh basil. It is light, fresh and perfect for spring!

Adding orzo pasta to the classic caprese ingredients makes this a great side dish or a delectable light lunch. I’m always looking to liven things up when it comes to lunch time! Plus, we are all about caprese flavors — see our caprese sandwich or our balsamic caprese chicken.

A serving bowl of orzo caprese salad. It is loaded with tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese. Parmesan cheese, salt, and tomatoes are next to the bowl of orzo.

Our kids love helping us in the kitchen and this is a great recipe to get the whole family involved. Even our 5-year-old can cook up a batch of orzo. We put our oldest on the basil and our second on the tomatoes and mozzarella and this caprese salad is done in no time! It is simple, healthy and the flavors are flawless!

What Ingredients Go in Caprese Orzo Pasta?

When you hear caprese, you know your usual suspects, but there are couple of other ingredients that go into this pasta dish. Here is your shopping list:

  • Orzo
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Chicken Broth
  • Thyme (fresh)
  • Basil (fresh)
  • Mozzarella (buffalo or pearls)
  • Tomatoes
  • Parmesan
  • Pepper
  • Salt

A bowl of caprese orzo salad. There are tomatoes and mozzarella chunks and fresh green basil in the salad.

How to Make Caprese Orzo Pasta

We have gone through the basic steps, but here is the whole process in a little more detail. For the complete recipe, see the recipe card below.

  1. Orzo – This recipe starts by toasting the dry orzo. We’ve found this really takes the flavor over the top. Then add the garlic and thyme. The orzo is cooked in chicken broth for even more flavor.
    • PRO TIP: Thyme isn’t a typical caprese flavor, but it adds a flavor that we love in this pasta salad!
  2. Caprese – Once the orzo has absorbed most of the water and it is tender, its time to add all the caprese stars – cheese, tomatoes and basil. Then salt and pepper to taste and dig in!

Caprese orzo salad packed with tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and fresh basil.

What is Caprese?

Caprese is an Italian dish made from fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil, occasionally paired with arugula. It can be eaten as a salad or on a sandwich.

A serving bowl of caprese orzo salad. The salad contains tomatoes, mozzarella chuncks and fresh basil. A few basil leaves, tomatoes and a small container of oil are sitting by the salad.

Is Orzo Pasta Or Rice?

I feel like orzo isn’t as well know as it should be. Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta. So it is a pasta that eats like rice but takes substantially less time to cook. It’s a winner that should be used more in my humble opinion!

Caprese orzo salad in a larch serving bowl. There are bright red tomatoes, fresh green basil and chunks of mozzarella cheese. A few tomatoes, a brick of parmesan cheese, and a container of salt are on the table by the salad.

How to Cook Orzo Pasta?

We like to toast the dry orzo first to really heighten the flavor of the cooked pasta. After toasting it for a minute or so in olive oil, add your liquid (water works great, but use a broth for even more flavor). Let it come to a boil and then turn the heat down and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes.
 

A bowl of caprese orzo salad. The salad has tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and fresh basil leave in it. A container of fresh ground pepper and a few parsley leaves are next to the salad.

How Do You Know When Orzo Is Done?

Orzo takes about 10 minutes to cook.

It is done when it has a firm, chewy texture.

How Long Will Orzo Keep?

Cooked orzo will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

A close-up of caprese orzo salad. It has red tomatoes, fresh green basil, and chunks of mozzarella cheese.

Are Tomatoes Good For You?

I am obsessed with tomatoes, especially tomatoes fresh from the garden. We don’t have a spot in our backyard for a garden which makes me the saddest, but my parents have a huge garden. When we go to visit in the summer, we always return with tons of fresh produce including all kinds of tomatoes.

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. They are also high in antioxidants.

A bowl of caprese orzo salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and fresh basil. A few basil leaves are on the table next to the pasta.

Caprese orzo pasta is going to be your new favorite dish this spring! I’m having it for lunch this week. My kids are whipping it up. We will have it for dinner, and then I’ll be eating the leftovers for lunch. It keeps great in the refrigerator too, so I can eat it several days in a row! Three cheers for CAPRESE!

A serving bowl of caprese orzo salad. There are tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and fresh basil leaves in the salad. Another bowl of salad, a container of ground pepper, and a few parsley leaves are on the table next to the bowl.

Looking for more delicious ORZO RECIPES?

Caprese Orzo Pasta

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Servings: 4
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 14 mins

Description

This easy caprese orzo pasta recipe is light, fresh and perfect for spring.

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 Cups Orzo Pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme leaves, fresh
  • 1/4 Cup Basil, Fresh, chopped
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella, buffalo, or mozzarella pearls
  • 1 Cup Tomatoes
  • 2/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
  • Cracked Pepper, fresh, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  • In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and pasta.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally until toasted, about 30-60 seconds.
  • Add garlic and stir it in followed by thyme.
  • Add the broth, a small amount at a time.
  • Bring to a boil, cover the skillet with a lid and turn down to a simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta has absorbed most of the water and is tender.
  • Add the cheeses, tomatoes, basil and salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Notes

Left overs can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 408kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 21gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 1093mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 733IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 370mgIron: 2mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100 Family Favorite Easy Healthy Recipes

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A serving bowl of orzo caprese salad. It is loaded with tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese. Parmesan cheese, salt, and tomatoes are next to the bowl of orzo.