This fabulous Mediterranean orzo dish boasts all the wonderful flavors of Greece. Serve it as a side dish or add cubed super firm tofu and enjoy it as a main dish meal! My Big Salad with a Greek-type dressing would go wonderfully with this dish. Â
Orzo with Roasted Veggies
This is a wonderful Mediterranean side dish or can be made into a main dish meal by adding cubed tofu for protein. Whenever I serve this to guests they always ask for seconds. The lemony sauce, roasted veggies and rice-like orzo pasta create a great flavor and texture combination!
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 1 small eggplant, peeled, 1" diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, 1" diced
- 1/2 orange or yellow bell pepper, 1" diced
- 1 small red onion, 1" diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Sea or Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
- 1/2 lb orzo pasta
- VINAIGRETTE SAUCE:
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
- TO ASSEMBLE:
- 2 green onions, minced
- 1/8 cup pine nuts or slivered almond, toasted (See Note below)
- 8 basil leaves, julienned
- 1/2 pkg cubed extra firm tofu (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetables and garlic with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Roast for 40 minutes, stirring once.
- Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7-9 minutes until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Add the roasted vegetables, making sure to scrape the seasonings and liquid from the roasting pan into the bowl.
- Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and smooth and combined. Pour over pasta and veggies and stir to coat. Let cool to room temperature.
- Add the scallions, nuts, basil and optional tofu cubes. Stir to coat and combine. Serve at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
Note:Â To toast almonds, add to a medium saute pan and cook over medium-low heat for about 3-5 minutes until toasted and fragrant.Â
Yummy roasted veggie dish great as a side or main meal. We love the lemony vinaigrette sauce & toasted almonds!
Thanks, Alison! So glad you enjoyed it!
I made Orzo with Roasted Veggies to take to a family luncheon. It was a big hit with kids and adults alike. It works well as a make-ahead dish and it is easy to transport. I will definitely be making this again.
Thanks, Carol! So glad everybody enjoyed it!