Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Recipe

Name: Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil; 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 small sweet onion (diced); 1 small zucchini (diced); 1/2 red bell pepper (seeds removed, diced); 1/2 yellow bell pepper (seeds removed, diced); 2 teaspoons oregano; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes {optional}; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 3 Tablespoons tomato paste; 1 - 15 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes; 1 - 15 ounce can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 2 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup orzo {try whole wheat for a healthier option}; 2 cups kale (chopped); 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped); 8-10 fresh basil leaves (chopped); 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped); 1 lemon (1/2 sliced and 1/2 juiced); 1/2 cup of feta cheese (crumbled); Pita or Naan bread for serving

Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Recipe is a hearty vegetarian recipe mixing orzo, chickpeas, fire roasted tomatoes, warm spices, fresh herbs, lemon juice and feta cheese.

Prep10 min
Cook30 min
Total40 min
Makes4 servings
Calories358

Ingredients

4 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 small sweet onion (diced)
1 small zucchini (diced)
1/2 red bell pepper (seeds removed, diced)
1/2 yellow bell pepper (seeds removed, diced)
2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes {optional}
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 - 15 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 - 15 ounce can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup orzo {try whole wheat for a healthier option}
2 cups kale (chopped)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
8-10 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
1 lemon (1/2 sliced and 1/2 juiced)
1/2 cup of feta cheese (crumbled)
Pita or Naan bread for serving

Method

1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and saute for 2 minutes.
2
Add the zucchini, bell peppers, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, coriander, salt and pepper.
3
Continue to saute for another 4-5 minutes.
4
Add the tomato paste and saute another 2 minutes.
5
Add the fire roasted tomatoes, chickpeas, vegetable broth and orzo and stir well. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer with the lid on for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is soft {make sure to stir often throughout cooking to make sure the orzo isn't sticking to the bottom of the skillet}.
6
Add the kale in and stir and let simmer for 1-2 minutes until kale is wilted.
7
Stir in the fresh herbs and lemon juice.
8
Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with lemon slices along with pita bread or naan.

Notes

Make sure that you stir the orzo throughout cooking so the orzo doens't stick to the bottom of the skillet. Adding in any vegetables you have on hand works nicely in this dish. Some I like to add are carrots, celery, or red onion. Goat cheese is another nice option in place of feta cheese. Try adding protein like grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp or steak.