Marry Me Orzo
Creamy, cozy, and almost effortless, this one pan marry me orzo will make anyone fall in love with you! It’s the perfect dinner where everything goes into one dish, and the oven handles the rest.
The premise of “marry me” recipes is simple. The food is so good, it makes your significant other pop the question. It all started with a viral creamy pasta recipe, which inspired me to create vegan marry me pasta.
My fiance at the time (we are married now!) loved it so much, I keep creating similar recipes, including marry me chickpeas and marry me Tuscan vegetable soup. All I’m saying is, it works!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- I’ve always loved one-pan and dump and bake recipes. This one is no exception!
- The marry me flavors never let me down. The creamy sauce, pasta, and chickpeas are a match made in heaven!
- Talk about a well-rounded meal! Carbs, protein, fat, and fiber, all in one pan.
- If you love mac and cheese, this is kind of a sophisticated version. The flavors are different, but it’s definitely a comfort meal that hits all the right notes.
- This marry me orzo can feed a whole crowd! Perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Key Ingredients
- Orzo is basically rice in pasta form. It cooks directly in the broth for a risotto-like texture.
- Chickpeas add heartiness and plant-based protein. They are also super budget-friendly!
- Sun-dried tomatoes is my go-to flavor maker. Did you know you can make sun dried tomatoes at home?
- Cashew cream creates a silky, creamy finish. Again, you can make it yourself!
- Spinach wilts into the orzo for color and scores you points for eating extra veggies.
Hack It!
- Swap orzo for small pasta shapes like ditalini if that’s what you have.
- Gluten-free? Make this recipe into a marry-me risotto! Add some white wine and an extra cup of liquid (water or broth).
- Use coconut milk if you have a nut allergy or tofu cream for extra protein.
- Got some leftover veggies in your fridge or freezer? Throw them in! Try this recipe with mushrooms, broccoli, artichokes, bell peppers, cauliflower, green beans, and more.
How to Make Marry Me Orzo
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375F. In a casserole dish, add all ingredients except the lemon juice.
Step 2: Stir everything together. Cover tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Give it a good stir, then bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the orzo is tender and creamy.
Step 4: Finish with lemon juice and vegan parmesan as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Alternatively, split into portions and freeze.
Yes. If very dry, soak them briefly in warm water first.
Absolutely! Just remember that the same amount of spinach shrinks when cooked and frozen, so you only need a cup or so.
More Plant-Based Pasta Bakes
- Ramen Noodle Bake
- French Onion Pasta
- Baked Orzo with Veggies
- Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Roasted Vegetable Pasta
If you love cooking (and especially meal prep), join our Plant Cooking Club on Substack! Every week, a new meal plan full of plants drops in your inbox – not to mention an amazing and supportive community you get to be a part of!
The Recipe: Marry Me Orzo
Ingredients
- 1½ cups orzo, dry
- 14 oz chickpeas, one can, drained and rinsed
- 1 red onion, diced
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped, oil-packed or dry
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cashew cream, sub for coconut milk or tofu cream if desired
- 2-3 cup spinach
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced, as desired
Equipment
- 9×5 casserole dish or similar
- Aluminum foil or lid
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- To a 9×5 casserole dish, add all ingredients except the lemon juice, and give it a really good stir.
- Cover tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Give it a good stir, then bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the orzo is tender and creamy. Finish with lemon juice as desired and serve.
Notes
- Swap orzo for small pasta shapes like ditalini if that’s what you have.
- Gluten-free? Make this recipe into a marry-me risotto! Add some white wine and an extra cup of liquid (water or broth).
- Use coconut milk if you have a nut allergy or tofu cream for extra protein.
- Got some leftover veggies in your fridge or freezer? Throw them in! Try this recipe with mushrooms, broccoli, artichokes, bell peppers, cauliflower, green beans, and more.