This 20-Minute Dinner Is the First Dish I Make When Fall Arrives

It just uses one pan and is oh-so-comforting.

By
Rebecca Fennel
Rebecca Fennel
Rebecca Fennel
Rebecca Fennel is a Tulsa-based recipe developer, videographer, and social media consultant originally from Boston, Massachusetts. Rebecca now runs a boutique marketing agency for food influencers and brands, serving as a consultant and content creator for accounts like Brocc Your Body and Broma Bakery.
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Published August 25, 2025
Rebecca Fennel
A skillet containing orzo pasta mixed with a creamy vodkabased sauce stirred with a wooden spoon

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

As summer transitions to fall, I'm craving warmer dishes, but ones that aren’t too heavy. This orzo alla vodka fits the bill for a super-fast, one-pan meal that goes with just about anything. It's made with simple ingredients and cooks in just 20 minutes, making it an easy weeknight recipe that both kids and adults will love.

All you need to make this flavorful dish are a handful of pantry staples and a trusty skillet. You start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until they’re soft and fragrant. Next, you’ll stir in tomato paste—I love the kind in a squeeze tube for easy storage—and a splash of vodka, which adds a subtly sweet, herbaceous flavor.

Add in chicken broth, orzo, salt, and pepper, and cook until the orzo is tender. Finish with heavy cream and Parmesan, and you're done! If you want, you can top the dish with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and more Parm.

Serving Suggestions

This dish goes with just about any protein or veggie side. I served it with sautéed ground chicken sausage, but it would be fabulous with meatballs, leftover roast chicken, or baked fish. To make it more filling on its own, you can stir in some white beans, too. For greens on the side, I love steamed broccoli, a kale salad, or easy broiled green beans.

Orzo in vodka sauce garnished with grated cheese and fresh basil served in a white bowl with a gold spoon

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

More One-Pan Wonders

One-Pan Orzo alla Vodka

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 cup vodka (or sub chicken broth)

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 1/3 cups orzo

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground ground black pepper, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

  • 4 basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish, optional

  • Red pepper flakes, optional

Method

  1. Sauté the onions and garlic:

    Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and just beginning to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

  2. Add the tomato paste and vodka:

    Stir in the vodka and tomato paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly reduced, about 3 minutes.

  3. Cook the orzo:

    Stir in the chicken broth, orzo, salt, and pepper. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a lid. Cook, stirring once and scraping the bottom of the pot halfway through, until the orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

  4. Finish:

    Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately with the remaining Parmesan, topping individual portions with basil and/or red pepper flakes if desired.

    If you don’t eat it all up in one sitting, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove, adding more chicken broth or water to make it more saucy, as the orzo will have absorbed much of the liquid.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
448 Calories
21g Fat
44g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 448
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 26%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 50mg 17%
Sodium 855mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 5mg 27%
Calcium 208mg 16%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 429mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.