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Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo Recipe

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3.8 from 32 reviews

This comforting one-pot Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo dish features tender chickpeas and orzo pasta simmered in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and baby spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy, flavorful meal perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Main Ingredients

  • 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 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 fragrant and softened.
  2. Simmer the chickpeas and orzo: Add the rinsed chickpeas, vegetable broth, uncooked orzo, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low or adjust to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the orzo is just shy of al dente, which should take about 10–12 minutes.
  3. Add the finishing ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream, fresh baby spinach, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil leaves. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts and the orzo reaches al dente texture.
  4. Season to taste: Taste the dish and season with additional fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
  5. Serve and garnish: Serve the creamy chickpeas and orzo warm, garnished with an extra twist of black pepper if you like. Enjoy your comforting and flavorful meal!

Notes

  • For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
  • You can add more veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture and nutrition.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer a little longer to reduce the liquid or add a bit more cheese.
  • Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control the saltiness.
  • Orzo cooks quickly, so keep stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

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