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Mediterranean Orzo Bake

Print Recipe
One-pan pasta bake served with vegan tzatziki and fresh dill.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword baked pasta, baked pasta recipe, creamy lemon orzo, creamy orzo, creamy pasta recipe, easy orzo recipe, mediterranean cuisine, orzo casserole, orzo recipe, plant based orzo dish, vegan casserole, vegan orzo dish
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting and setting 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 275.8
Author carleigh

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orzo dry
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 tbsp plant-based yogurt heaping tbsp
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 15 oz chickpeas 1 can drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

For serving

  • ½ cucumber medium, cubed
  • 1¼ cup fresh dill
  • vegan tzatziki or dill dressing
  • vegan feta as desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F. 
  • In a casserole dish, add the orzo, vegetable broth, lemon juice, plant-based yogurt, garlic, turmeric, dried dill and salt. Stir well until everything is combined.
  • Add the chickpeas and cherry tomatoes and give it another quick mix so everything is evenly distributed.
  • Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, uncover and stir. If the orzo isn’t fully tender or there is still excess liquid, return to the oven uncovered for 5–10 more minutes until creamy and set.
  • Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve with vegan tzatziki, fresh cucumber, dill and vegan feta, as desired. 

Notes

  • Swap orzo for rice to make a gluten-free version of the dish, similar to risotto.
  • No yogurt? Use a splash of coconut milk or cashew cream.
  • If yu like greens, you can stir in spinach, chard or kale in the last few minutes before serving. In fact, you can add other veggies to avoid food waste or clear out your freezer.
  • If you have time to make extras, I recommend serving this Mediterranean orzo bake with olive salad, creamy cucumber salad, or stuffed onions.
  • This dish works suprisingly well hot or cold. If you're looking for a work lunch that doesn't need reheating, it's a great option!

Nutrition

Calories: 275.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.5g | Protein: 12.4g | Fat: 3.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.7g | Sodium: 895.5mg | Potassium: 543.6mg | Fiber: 8.2g | Sugar: 4.1g | Vitamin A: 1379.4IU | Vitamin C: 38.5mg | Calcium: 111.1mg | Iron: 3.6mg