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Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo Recipe

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4.1 from 13 reviews

This creamy, one-pot Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo recipe blends tender chickpeas and orzo pasta in a luscious garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a flavorful and comforting vegetarian dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup roughly-chopped fresh basil leaves

Pantry Items

  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

Dairy

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced shallot, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is softened and fragrant.
  2. Simmer the Base: Add the rinsed chickpeas, vegetable broth, uncooked orzo pasta, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the orzo is almost tender but still slightly firm to the bite (just shy of al dente), about 12 to 15 minutes.
  3. Add Cream and Greens: Stir in the heavy cream, fresh baby spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Mix until the spinach wilts and the orzo finishes cooking to al dente, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes while stirring frequently.
  4. Season to Taste: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
  5. Serve: Serve the dish warm, optionally garnished with an extra twist of black pepper. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful meal straight from the pan!

Notes

  • The orzo will continue to absorb liquid after cooking; add a splash of vegetable broth or water if the mixture becomes too thick before serving.
  • For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
  • Using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add extra richness; just reduce the olive oil slightly if desired.
  • Sautéing garlic gently prevents bitterness and brings out sweetness.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level, or omit for milder flavor.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/marry-me-chickpeas-and-orzo-recipe/