One Pot Baked Orzo with Artichokes and Chickpeas

Comforting vegetarian one-pot meal where everything bakes together into creamy, flavourful goodness.

Ingredients

• 300g orzo
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 350g jar marinated artichokes (with liquid)
• 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 50g baby spinach
• 1 tbsp basil pesto
• ¼-1 tbsp chilli flakes (optional, to taste)
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 30g pine nuts
• 750ml water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: vegan cheese or parmesan to finish
• Fresh basil to garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Finely chop the shallot and mince the garlic.

3. Add the shallot, garlic, orzo, artichoke jar with all its liquid, drained chickpeas, spinach, pesto, and chilli flakes (if using) to a large casserole dish with a lid.

4. Add 750ml of water and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

5. Cover tightly with the lid (or aluminium foil if you don’t have a lid) and bake for 20 minutes.

6. While the orzo is baking, place the pine nuts on a small tray on the lower shelf and toast for 4 minutes until golden.

7. After 20 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and stir well. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes with the lid off to allow excess liquid to reduce.

8. Remove from the oven. Zest the lemon over the orzo, then squeeze the lemon juice over the top.

9. Add vegan cheese or parmesan if using, and stir through.

10. Finish with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil.

Nutrition (per serving, approximate)

Notes

The marinated artichokes add incredible flavour to the dish - don’t skip the marinade liquid. If the orzo seems dry after baking, add a splash more water and stir. This is a very flexible recipe - you can add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@bunchuk/video/7261896431315717403

Tags: #vegetarian #onepot #italian