Creamy Zucchini Pasta
A delicious and quick one-pan orzo recipe with grated zucchini and creamy consistency.
Equipment
- Cheese grater to shred the zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small red onion or shallot diced
- 1 zucchini grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 340 grams orzo
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1½ cups coconut milk or vegan cream of choice
- ½ cup vegan feta
- 1 handful fresh dill
To serve:
- Protein of choice I used one package of vegan meatballs
Instructions
- In a deep skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and onion. Saute until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the grated zucchini to the pan. Cook until the zucchini is sweating, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Next, add the orzo, oregano, dried parsley, and salt. Toast the orzo for a couple of minutes in the warm pan, until everything is really well combined.
- Now, add the vegetable broth and coconut milk. Stir, bring to a boil, and then lower the heat. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until you have a very creamy orzo, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- At this time, squeeze in your lemon juice and stir in your fresh dill. Top with vegan feta, as desired. I add vegan meatballs right on top. Enjoy immediately, or store in a sealed container in the fridge for a few days.
Notes
- Serve with vegan meatballs, crispy tofu, chickpeas, white beans... Whatever your favorite plant-based protein is, add it on top!
- Pack extra veggies by adding spinach, peas, mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes.
- No vegan feta in your local store? Try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, a spoonful of vegan cream cheese, or a squeeze of extra lemon juice for brightness.
- Use gluten-free orzo if available, or substitute with short-grain rice or quinoa for a wheat and gluten-free dish (adjust cooking time as needed).
Nutrition
Calories: 583.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 73.6g | Protein: 18.4g | Fat: 25.4g | Saturated Fat: 18.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.5g | Sodium: 770.5mg | Potassium: 557.2mg | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 5.9g | Vitamin A: 107.7IU | Vitamin C: 12.2mg | Calcium: 58.6mg | Iron: 4.4mg