30 Minute Zucchini Orzo with Easy Chile Oil

30 Minute Zucchini Orzo with Easy Chile Oil

from desireerd.com
30 min
6 servings

This incredible one pot zucchini orzo is a flavourful and family friendly way to use up all that zucchini! It’s a 30 minute dinner with risotto vibes but way less effort - the optional chile oil turns up the heat for the grown ups! It’s nourishing comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound zucchini (trimmed and diced)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 pound orzo (or other tiny pasta like ditalini)
  • 5 cups water (divided)
  • 14 ounce can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 4 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Vegetarian "No Chicken" (or 4 teaspoons/cubes bouillion)
  • 1½ teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • freshly cracked pepper
  • salt (to taste)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried chile flakes
  • 2 sundried tomatoes (diced, see note)
  • pinch salt

Directions

  1. 1

    If making the chile oil, place oil, chile flakes, sun-dried tomatoes and salt in a small pot over low heat. Let it steep while you make the orzo.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a pasta pot over medium heat. Add the onion and zucchini and cook, stirring only once or twice, until the onion begins to soften and zucchini starts to brown in spots, 5-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Add orzo and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Deglaze with 1 cup of water, stirring constantly, until water is mostly absorbed, about another minute or two.

  4. 4

    Add remaining 4 cups water, chickpeas, Better than Bouillon, garlic powder and thyme and bring to a boil, stirring often as orzo likes to stick to the bottom of the pan!

  5. 5

    Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and cover with lid ajar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and saucy like risotto. This takes 10-15 minutes. If it looks like water is evaporating too fast and orzo is still firm, just add 1/2 a cup of water at a time to loosen it up. You won't hurt it!

  6. 6

    Once done, remove from heat and stir in nutritional yeast. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve in bowl with a drizzle of chile oil if using.