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Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo Recipe

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4.2 from 4 reviews

Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot dish combining tender chickpeas, creamy orzo pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory tomato and herb broth. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, featuring aromatic shallots, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, this creamy, hearty meal is both satisfying and nutritious.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup roughly-chopped fresh basil leaves
  • Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

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. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the shallots are softened and aromatic.
  2. Simmer the Base: Add the rinsed chickpeas, vegetable broth, uncooked orzo pasta, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir everything together to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring often to prevent sticking. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo is nearly al dente.
  3. Add Cream and Greens: Stir in the heavy cream, fresh baby spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil leaves. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach has wilted and the orzo is perfectly al dente.
  4. Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve warm, optionally garnished with an extra twist of black pepper, and enjoy this creamy, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free option.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
  • Use gluten-free orzo or another small pasta shape if gluten-free is required.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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