This One Pot Creamy Pesto Orzo is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It’s comforting and nourishing, and cooks all in one pot for minimal dishes, making it a perfect choice after a busy workday. There is something about orzo that always makes me want to romanticize my life, and when slowly cooked with tender chickpeas, vibrant greens, and a deliciously creamy pesto rosso, it reaches a whole new level. What’s more, each serving of this super cozy meal is nutrient-packed and brings 27g of protein and 17g of fiber, along with a hearty serving of vegetables. So put on your favorite chill song, light up a candle, and treat yourself to your new favorite go-to weeknight meal!
Why This Recipe Works
Simple and Quick: Ideal for busy weeknights with minimal prep and cooking time.
Nutrient-Rich: Packed with nourishing ingredients like kale and chickpeas. Each serving contains 27 g of protein and 17 g of fiber.
Customizable: Easily adaptable with different nuts or seeds for the pesto, or use white beans.
One-Pot Wonder: Less cleaning up, more enjoying your meal.
Meal-Prep Friendly: It reheats very well and can be kept for up to 5 days, so don’t hesitate to pack up the leftovers!
Flavorful: The homemade walnut Pesto Rosso brings a rich and vibrant taste to the dish.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Blend the walnuts, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and nutritional yeast to create the pesto. In a pot, heat the oil and cook the onions until translucent, then add the garlic. Combine the orzo, pesto, chickpeas, and vegetable broth and cook, stirring to avoid sticking. Add the soy milk and broccolini, continuing to stir. Finish by adding the kale until wilted, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.
Ingredient Notes
Orzo: A rice-shaped pasta that’s perfect for absorbing flavors. Substitute with arborio rice for a gluten-free option.
Chickpeas: A great source of protein and fiber. Can be swapped with lentils or white beans.
Soy Milk: Adds creaminess; almond or oat milk would be great alternatives.
Kale: Loaded with vitamins A, K, and C. Spinach makes a good substitute.
Nutritional Yeast: Provides a cheesy flavor while being rich in B vitamins and protein.
FAQ
- Can I make this recipe nut-free? Yes, use seeds like sunflower seeds instead of walnuts for the pesto.
- Is this dish protein-rich? Absolutely, thanks to the chickpeas and nutritional yeast, it packs 27 g per serving.
- How can I store leftovers? Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Can I use another type of milk? Yes, any plant-based milk will work, though soy milk gives the creamiest result and boost the protein.
- Is this recipe suitable for meal prep? Yes, it’s perfect for preparing in advance for the week.
Variations and Tips
Spice it up: Add chili flakes for a warm kick.
Boost the greens: Mix in spinach or Swiss chard for extra greens.
Protein boost: Blending tofu with the pesto can be a great addition for more protein and creaminess.
If you like this recipe, you will love our Meghan Markle One-Pot Pasta Recipe, High-Protein Marry Me Orzo, and Pesto Orzo Baked Meal Prep.
Why You’ll Love This One Creamy Pesto Orzo
- Easy
- Creamy
- Protein-rich
- Versatile
- Yummy
One-Pot Creamy Pesto Orzo
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 oz (200 g) broccolini
- 2 tsp (10 ml) olive oil
- 1 onion - finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves - peeled and minced
- 5.6 oz (160 g) dry orzo
- 1.5 cup (245 g) chickpeas - cooked
- ¼ tsp (0.5 g) red chili flakes
- 2 cups (470 ml) low sodium vegetable stock
- 2 cups (230 g) kale - stems removed and leaves finely chopped
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
- sea salt flakes - to taste
- freshly ground black pepper - to taste
Walnut Pesto Sauce
- ¼ cup (25 g) raw walnuts
- 1.25 cups (355 ml) soy milk
- ⅓ cup (45 g) nutritional yeast
- 1 cup (42 g) fresh basil
Instructions
- Chop the broccolini into small pieces, separating the stems from the florets, and set aside.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and onion. Cook for 5 minutes.Add the garlic and broccolini stems, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the orzo, chickpeas, chili flakes, a pinch of salt and pepper, and the vegetable broth. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Make the Walnut Pesto Sauce: Blend the walnuts, nutritional yeast, basil, and soy milk until smooth.
- Pour the sauce into the pan along with the broccolini florets. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Stir in the kale and cook until just wilted. Finish with the lemon juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: garnish with lemon zest, extra chili flakes, chopped walnuts, and fresh basil.
Is this freezer friendly for meal prep?
I have not tried but not sure I would recommend, I think it might get quite mushy once thawed
OMG, this was so delicious! I used miso broth as that is all I had on hand, made it without garlic and onion, used oat milk, and added a little extra broccolini, and gailan leaves from my garden and it was fantastic! it took me less than 20 minutes to prepare, and made 3 to 4 servings for meal prep to enjoy throughout the week. So grateful to you for sharing all of your amazing recipes with us. I’m even getting my omnivore friends and family to eat more plant-based! You are a gift to healthy, eating and to helping save the animals!! 🩷
Hey Jen, thanks you for your lovely message, you’ve absolutely made my day 🥹😍 love the added miso and gailan!
This was really delicious and cooked by my 18 year old son, who has little cooking experience! So easy to do 😁
I’m so happy to hear that 💕