One-Pot Vegetable Orzo: A Delicious and Easy Meatless Meal
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Looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meatless meal? This One-Pot Vegetable Orzo is the perfect solution! It’s budget-friendly, packed with healthy vegetables, and features tender orzo pasta, all cooked together in a single pot for minimal cleanup.
One-pot pasta recipes are ideal for busy weeknights. They require simple ingredients, are incredibly flavorful, and significantly reduce the amount of time spent washing dishes. This recipe utilizes orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, which cooks quickly and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the vegetables and broth.
The convenience of making this entire dish in one pot cannot be overstated. This easy pasta recipe means dinner is ready in no time, and you’ll have very few dishes to clean afterward. It’s a win-win!
Ingredients for One-Pot Vegetable Orzo
This recipe is customizable to your liking, but here’s a list of the key ingredients you’ll need:
- Oil: Use your favorite cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. These oils add a subtle flavor and help sauté the vegetables.
- Vegetables: A combination of diced yellow onion, cherry tomatoes, diced zucchini, and fresh chopped spinach creates a colorful and nutritious base. Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables you enjoy.
- Seasonings: Minced garlic, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are essential for the best flavor. Adjust the amounts to your personal preference.
- Pasta: Uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta) is the star of the show. Ensure it’s uncooked to allow it to absorb the broth and flavors properly during cooking.
- Liquid: Vegetable broth or vegetable stock is crucial for cooking the orzo to al dente perfection. It adds depth of flavor and provides the necessary moisture.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory touch to this meatless meal. Other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago would also work well.
How to Make One-Pot Vegetable Orzo: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying One-Pot Vegetable Orzo:
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, minced garlic, cherry tomatoes, and diced zucchini. Stir well and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their flavors.
- Add Orzo, Broth, and Seasonings: Increase the heat to high. Add the uncooked orzo, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a high simmer.
- Simmer Until Tender: Let the orzo simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Be sure to stir regularly to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add Spinach and Parmesan: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the mixture cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the cheese is melted and evenly distributed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the pot from the heat and let the orzo rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. Serve hot and enjoy!
How to Store Leftover Pasta and Vegetables
Fridge: Store any leftover One-Pot Vegetable Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Meatless Pasta Dish
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your One-Pot Vegetable Orzo turns out perfectly every time:
Pasta Shapes to Use:
While orzo is the recommended pasta for this recipe, you can experiment with other small pasta shapes. Ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti can be used as alternatives. Keep in mind that larger pasta shapes may require a longer cooking time.
Fresh Vegetables and Other Add-Ins for This Orzo Risotto:
This recipe is highly versatile, and you can customize it with your favorite vegetables and flavors. Consider adding:
- Red bell peppers or green bell peppers
- Red onion
- Grape tomatoes
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh basil (for topping)
- Feta cheese
Ways to Add Protein:
If you’d like to increase the protein content of this dish, you can easily add:
- Cooked chicken or canned chicken
- Cannellini beans or black beans
- Chickpeas
- Tofu cubes (pan-fried or baked)
More Delicious One-Pot Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this One-Pot Vegetable Orzo, you might also like these other easy and flavorful one-pot recipes:
- 3 Ingredient One Pot Sausage Pasta: A simple and satisfying meal with minimal ingredients.
- Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole: A convenient and flavorful casserole perfect for busy weeknights.
- Rotisserie Chicken with Orzo Skillet: A quick and easy skillet meal using rotisserie chicken.
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice: A classic takeout favorite made at home in one pot.
One Pot Orzo with Vegetables
Julia Pacheco
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
5
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Equipment
- Large pot