A deliciously savory weeknight dish. This One-Pot Tomato and Basil Orzo comes together in 30 minutes using whole nourishing ingredients.
Should You Buy Tomato Paste in a Tube or Can?
Tomato paste comes in both a can or a tube. Canned tomato paste usually comes in a small can containing approximately 5 oz. When a recipe calls for this amount, a can is likely the best option as it is less expensive. If, like this One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Recipe, calls for less than 5 oz, I’d recommend purchasing tomato paste that comes in a tube. This PAESE MIO Tomato Paste Tube is a great option. Tomato paste that comes in a tube can last longer in the fridge (about 20 days) than an opened can of tomato paste (only about 7 days).
What is Special about Orzo?
Orzo is the most adorable little piece of pasta that you ever did see. It looks like a flattened grain of rice. Orzo cooks up super fast and it absorbs all of the delicious flavors of the sauce that it is being cooked in. While orzo is the same as your regular pasta, it is usually made in to a meal consisting of nutritious vegetables and protein.
How to Store Leftover One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo
Leftover One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. If reheating in a pan on the stovetop, add a bit of oil to the pan and stir in the leftover Tomato Basil Orzo.
How to make One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo
First
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven, or large soup pot, over medium-low heat. Then, add the tomatoes and stir occasionally until the tomatoes burst. Have the lid on for this step as the oil may try to splatter out of the pan. Be careful when stirring and checking on the tomatoes. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the tomatoes to burst.
Second
Once the tomatoes have burst, add in the minced garlic and stir to combine. The garlic should become fragrant quite quickly, only taking about one minute.
Third
Once the garlic is fragrant (this should happen in less than a minute), add the tomato paste, orzo, broth, ITALIAN SEASONING BLEND, salt and pepper. Then, mix well until the ingredients have fully combined. Reduce the heat and simmer, with the lid on, until the orzo is cooked and most of the broth has been absorbed. This step may take about 10 minutes.
Fourth
Once the orzo has fully cooked and most, but not all, of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the chopped basil and spinach. Continue cooking until the spinach has wilted. This step may need the lid to be on to keep moisture in, although that depends on how much liquid has already been absorbed.
Fifth
Once the spinach has wilted, add in the chickpeas and stir to combine.
Six
Once everything is combined, top it all off with additional chopped basil if so desired. Lastly, serve and enjoy!
Other Mediterranean Recipes
COLORFUL WINTER SALAD WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND QUINOA
FRESH IN SEASON ASPARAGUS OVEN ROASTED WITH LEMON
MUSHROOM AND SPINACH FRITTATA
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One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pint whole cherry tomatoes
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups vegetable broth (can sub. chicken broth)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh basil finely chopped
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and strained (540ml can)
- 2 large handfuls of chopped spinach stems removed
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the tomatoes and stir occasionally until the tomatoes burst. Put the lid on while waiting for the tomatoes to burst. Add the minced garlic and stir until combined and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, orzo, broth, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Reduce the heat and simmer, with the lid on, until the orzo is cooked and most of the broth has been absorbed.
- Stir in the chopped basil and spinach and continue cooking over low heat until the spinach is wilted.
- Add in the can of chickpeas, and stir until combined.
- Top with additional chopped basil, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
