Description
A hearty and flavorful Chickpea Orzo dish that makes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 and 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced small
- 1 rib celery, diced small
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Toast the orzo in olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet or pot, stirring often, until lightly golden and nutty.
- Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, so it does not burn.
- Sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried thyme, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper, stirring to coat the orzo and vegetables in the spices.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to add extra flavor.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- If the orzo is not yet tender but the pan looks dry, add a splash more water or broth and continue cooking until creamy and saucy.
- Stir in the rinsed and drained chickpeas, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and cook for a couple of minutes until the chickpeas are warmed through.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, if using, and stir until it melts into the orzo and creates a silky sauce.
- Remove the pot from the heat, fold in the chopped fresh parsley, and taste, adjusting salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Serve the Chickpea Orzo hot, topped with extra Parmesan, parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Notes
- This dish can be customized with additional vegetables or proteins.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg