Description
This comforting Marry Me Chickpeas and Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish combining tender chickpeas, hearty orzo pasta, and a luscious tomato cream sauce. Infused with garlic, shallots, fresh thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, it’s a perfect quick and satisfying meal that blends Mediterranean flavors with a creamy finish. Topped with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, this recipe elevates an everyday chickpea and pasta dinner into something special and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Pasta & Broth
- 1 cup orzo (such as DeLallo brand)
- 3 cups chicken broth (or 3 cups water + 3 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon)
- A small bundle of fresh thyme
Sauce & Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup jarred sun-dried tomatoes, tomato bruschetta, Calabrian chiles, or similar
- 1–2 cups fresh spinach, torn into pieces
Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Additional fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Aromatics and Chickpeas: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced shallot and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and fragrant. Then, add the drained chickpeas and tomato paste. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture develops a deeper red color and the flavors meld together.
- Cook Orzo: Pour in the orzo pasta, chicken broth, and add the thyme sprigs to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, then cover the skillet and cook for 7-9 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish Sauce: Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Keep the heat on low and stir in the heavy cream, allowing the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes until it becomes luscious and creamy. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as desired, adding a bit more cream if you prefer a richer texture.
- Add-Ins: Stir in the jarred sun-dried tomatoes (or tomato bruschetta or Calabrian chiles) and fresh spinach. Cook just until the spinach wilts and is fully incorporated into the dish.
- Serve: Plate the creamy chickpeas and orzo, then sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and additional fresh thyme for garnish. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or Calabrian chiles based on your heat preference.
- Use fresh thyme for best flavor, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon).
- If you want a dairy-free option, replace heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Orzo can be swapped for other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or even couscous.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: chickpeas, orzo, creamy pasta, Mediterranean, one-pan dish, vegetarian, easy dinner, tomato cream sauce
