Description

This One Pot Creamy Tomato Orzo is wonderfully flavorful and easy to make. Combining cherry tomatoes, vegan cream cheese, and fresh spinach, it’s the perfect choice for a quick, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons oil
1 large or 2 small shallots, diced
pinch of salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
½ teaspoon italian seasoning
6 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
1½ cups (10 ounces) orzo
½ cup white wine
3¾ cups vegan chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
⅓–½ cup plain vegan cream cheese, softened
2 handfuls fresh spinach, chopped
½ cup grated vegan parmesan
fresh parsley, chopped
fresh basil, chopped
black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced shallots and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, without burning.
Add the tomato paste and stir. Cook for 3 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and becomes fragrant, then add the Italian seasoning.
Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 3-5 minutes until they start to wrinkle and release juices. Gently mash some tomatoes as needed.
Add the orzo to the pot, stirring to coat with the tomato mixture. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to toast slightly.
Pour in the white wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom, and cook until absorbed, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the vegan chicken broth, stir, and bring to a simmer. Lower heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is tender and creamy.
Stir in the vegan cream cheese until melted, creating a creamy sauce.
Add the chopped spinach and vegan parmesan, mixing well.
Remove from heat, garnish with parsley and basil, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the dish.
Using fresh herbs for garnishing can enhance the flavor significantly.
Ensure to stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg