Description
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Creamy Lemon Ricotta Orzo with Chickpeas. This delightful vegetarian dish combines tender orzo pasta enveloped in a creamy lemon ricotta sauce with the nutty goodness of chickpeas. Perfect for any occasion, it offers a refreshing taste that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying. Whether for a picnic or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (fresh)
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach (packed)
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Reduce heat and stir in ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and zest until smooth. Gradually add reserved pasta water for desired creaminess.
- Add cooked orzo and chickpeas to the skillet, gently tossing to coat with sauce. Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately drizzled with extra olive oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg