Description
Creamy Tuscan Chickpeas & Orzo is a comforting and nutritious dish combining tender chickpeas and orzo pasta in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. This simple yet elegant recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, offering a perfect balance of indulgence and freshness with versatile, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Aromatics & Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquids & Dairy
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Rinse and drain the chickpeas if using canned. Finely chop the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach to have everything ready before cooking.
- Cook the orzo: Boil the orzo in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside for later use in the sauce.
- Sauté aromatics and sun-dried tomatoes: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing until fragrant to infuse the oil with rich flavors.
- Add chickpeas and spinach: Stir in the chickpeas and fresh spinach, cooking just until the spinach wilts and the mixture is heated through.
- Create the creamy sauce: Pour in heavy cream and vegetable broth, then sprinkle in dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to thicken slightly while melding the flavors.
- Combine orzo and sauce: Fold the cooked orzo into the creamy chickpea mixture. Cook together for another minute, ensuring all components blend smoothly.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning: Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- Use good-quality orzo pasta to ensure it holds texture and absorbs the sauce well.
- Add spinach last to keep its vibrant color and fresh flavor.
- Adjust the ratio of cream and vegetable broth to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- For extra nutty flavor, toast dry orzo briefly in olive oil before boiling.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 25mg