vegetarian orzo recipe

Super easy Mediterranean-style orzo recipe with zucchini and chickpeas in a tasty, garlicy, chunky tomato sauce. Fresh mint and toasted pine nuts are the perfect finishing touch. Serve this as a simple vegetarian main or as a side next to your favorite protein.

Easy Orzo Recipe with Zucchini and Chickpeas

orzo pasta

Salt

Extra virgin olive oil (I used Greek Private Reserve)

lb zucchini (about 3 medium zucchini), diced

garlic cloves, minced

oz canned diced tomatoes (or 5 medium tomatoes, diced)

oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups fully cooked chickpeas)

Black pepper

tsp sweet paprika

tsp coriander

tsp cumin

mint leaves, chopped

lemon

pine nuts (I used more than 1/2 cup), optional

Cook orzo pasta according to package instructions (I cooked mine in 3 qt salted boiling water for about 9 minutes). Drain, keeping about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Set aside

In a large braiser or heavy pan like this one, heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add zucchini; raise heat if needed and saute for about 5 minutes or so. Season with a little salt.

Now add garlic, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, and spices. Add the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then lower heat, cover and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or so.  (Occasionally check and stir together, making sure to add a little bit of liquid if needed.)

Uncover, stir in already cooked orzo pasta. Add lemon juice and stir again. Cook briefly until pasta is just warmed trough (a minute or 2.)

Remove from heat and stir in fresh mint. Top with lots of toasted pine nuts. Enjoy!

Looks so delicious and festive! I love the combination of zucchini and chickpeas - delicious!

I had orzo at the STL greek festival and absolutely loved it! So glad that I can make it myself now.

I made this recipe tonight but instead of using orzo, I used farro!!!  Didn’t have mint so I used basil it was delicious!!!!!

I've cooked this for the first time this week and had it hot as a main meal, reheated as a side and cold as a salad bulked out with some extra raw vegetables and a little cooked ham. Its really very adaptable and tasty and i'll definitely be doing it again. The pine nuts add some much needed crunch to the dish and I also thought something a little salty, the ham or some parmesan benefits it as well. Next time if I remember I'm planning to add some anchovies to the courgettes as they cook because I think that would taste fantastic too.

Wonderful! I used pasta shells since I didn't have orzo. It was a bit like a Greek minestrone :)

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Top 1 vegetarian orzo recipe recipes from across the web

The most viewed vegetarian orzo recipe recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

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Easy Orzo Recipe with Zucchini and ...

The most viewed vegetarian orzo recipe recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine