One-Tray Baked Orzo with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
This one-tray baked orzo with roasted cherry tomatoes is a simple, creamy, and flavorful vegan dish perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep and a single tray, it’s packed with roasted vegetables, hearty white beans, and a rich garlic sauce, making it both satisfying and nourishing.
Equipment
- Large baking tray or casserole dish
- aluminum foil
- Medium saucepan for cooking orzo
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth for cooking the orzo
- 1 pint 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 whole garlic bulb cut the top off to expose the cloves
- 4 block vegan cream cheese ~4 oz or ~½ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 white beans can (~14.5 oz) cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 2 cups spinach roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the baking tray:
- In a large baking tray or casserole dish, add the cherry tomatoes and the whole garlic bulb (with the top cut off).
- If using vegan cream cheese, place it in the center of the tray.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika (optional), salt, and pepper.
- Cover the tray with aluminum foil.
Roast the tomatoes and garlic:
- Place the tray in the oven and roast for 50-60 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes are blistered, the garlic is soft, and the vegan cream cheese (if used) is melted.
Cook the orzo:
- While the vegetables are roasting, cook the orzo in vegetable broth according to package instructions. Drain any excess broth if necessary and set aside.
Prepare the creamy sauce:
- After roasting, remove the tray from the oven.
- Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves out of the bulb directly into the tray.
- If using vegan cream cheese, mix the garlic, melted vegan cream cheese, and blistered cherry tomatoes to create a creamy sauce.
- If using coconut milk instead of vegan cream cheese, pour in the coconut milk now and stir well to combine with the roasted tomatoes and garlic, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
Combine everything:
- Add the cooked orzo, white beans, and spinach to the tray.
- Stir everything together, letting the creamy sauce coat the orzo, beans, and spinach. The spinach will wilt from the heat.
Finish and serve:
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, vegan one-tray orzo!
Notes
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
• If you prefer more protein, consider adding extra beans or a side of grilled tofu.
• Feel free to experiment with extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for added variety.
• If you prefer more protein, consider adding extra beans or a side of grilled tofu.
• Feel free to experiment with extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for added variety.
Nutrition
Calories: 425kcal