Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas and Herbs is best served at room temperature, which means you can make it early and forget about it ’til dinner!
I subscribe to the notion that the greatest dishes are the simplest dishes. The simplest dishes are the greatest dishes….
It’s less about complicated recipes and more about comfort, aroma, memories, haunting flavors…
The idea that my stocked pantry houses the same ingredients that my mom’s pantry did, that these same ingredients lined the shelves and cupboards of my grandparents’ homes guarantees that my dishes will capture the flavors and aromas of the dishes that I ate growing up.
Chickpeas, garlic, red pepper, pasta, grated Parmigiano, olive oil, tomatoes….these are the ingredients of my childhood…
The idea that I can throw together a meal that has the power to take me right back is pretty magical.
Heck, the snapping sounds and irresistible aroma of onions and garlic frying up before a big splash of tomatoes is Sunday morning in our little red house on Rita Drive…
It is true that our olfactory system can affect emotion and memory quicker than the time it takes to chop a small clove of garlic. That is some powerful stuff.
And this Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas and Herbs is one such powerful dish. Growing up, we may not have had it exactly this way…we might not’ve used orzo – maybe it was ditalini, maybe no chickpeas but sweet peas instead, perhaps no sun-dried tomatoes but a dollop of tomato sauce…
You get the picture.
A warm bowl of pasta.
It’s all I need…
Buon Appetito!
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Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas and Herbs
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas and Herbs is best at room temperature which means you can make it early and forget about it ’til dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. orzo
- ⅓ cup olive oil, plus 2 Tbsp.
- 4 plump cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 – 2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 – 16 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 10 oz. sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and cut into thin strips
- 3 – 4 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Grated Parmigiano
Instructions
- Cook orzo in a large pot according to package directions.
- While the orzo is cooking, over medium heat in a large skillet, warm ⅓ cup olive oil.
- Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and rosemary. Cook until fragrant.
- Add chickpeas. Cook until sizzling, about 3 – 4 minutes.
- Drain orzo reserving ⅓ cup cooking water.
- Add orzo to the chickpea mixture.
- Toss well to coat, adding 2 Tbsp. olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper and reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve immediately with chopped parsley, salt, pepper and grated Parmigiano.
CIAO!
I LOVE this, Annie – I could eat the whole thing. Orzo is one of my favorites and I love all the other ingredients in here! It’s full of flavor and great as leftovers too – my favorite kind of recipe!
This is definitely a GVK dish! Thanks, friend!
I love all the flavors in here. And what a great meal for summer!
You bet! Perfect picnic food! 🙂
Love your version of Orzo and it’s looks so earthy and delicious! Gotta try and pinning! 🙂
Thank you! And thanks for the pin! 🙂
hey Annie, can we call this a minimalist food recipe? 🙂
Hi! I suppose we could! 🙂
This is exactly the kind of meal I want to be eating as we head in to spring and then all the way through summer. Low key, delicious, make ahead and portable! Meal perfection in my book.
Low key cooking is where it’s at, especially this time of year! 🙂
Pantry staples are the absolute best, and you’ve assembled such a scrumptious recipes using just that! I love all the flavors here, Annie, for a weeknight easy, hearty and delicious meal! Love it!
Thanks, Traci! It’s wonderful when a plan comes easily together! 🙂
I second what Milena said–this has summer picnic written all over it. Nothing beats a simple dish, especially when pasta’s in the mix!
You have very good taste! 🙂
I am loving this orzo beauty and not just for dinner. I was thinking for a picnic. I’ve always favored salads and cute little baked goods over sandwihes to stock my picnic basket:) Simple flavors, right? Have a great week, Annie!
Yes! This is picnic food all the way!! Love it! Thanks, Milena! 🙂
Looks delicious Ann, and I agree…the flavors are hauntingly delicious!
Thanks, Karen! This is one of our favorites! 🙂
I just made orzo salad last weekend and now I want to make your recipe! Love the chickpeas in there for an extra little somethin’ somethin’. Definitely sometimes the simplest things are the best. Want to make a batch of this for easy grab and go lunches this week. Happy Monday, my friend! XOXO
Perfect for lunches…of the grab-n-go sort! 🙂 Thanks, friend! XOXO
Absolutely agree! Loving this simple dish, but so full of flavours and textures. Love orzo 🙂
Orzo is always a winner! Thanks, Jennifer!
Well, I subscribe to the same. I really like to make dishes like this ahead — the flavors have a chance to meld. I hope you had a great Easter! I’m pinning the recipe and sharing.
Thanks for sharing! The longer it sits, the better it gets! 🙂