Roasted Vegetable Orzo

Use all those leftover veggies with this simple Roasted Vegetable Orzo recipe.

Whether you’re looking for a way to clear out your refrigerator or searching for a hearty and healthy recipe, you’re sure to love this simple dish. Use whichever vegetables you have on hand (though I always recommend including tomatoes, onions, and garlic).

What I love most about this recipe is how versatile and easy it is. Cut your veggies, throw them in the oven for 30 minutes, and then cook your orzo or pasta according to package instructions. It really is that simple.

Vegan recipes don’t have to be overly complicated. Whether you are just starting your plant based journey or you’re a seasoned professional, I hope you love our Roasted Vegetable Orzo.

Don’t like orzo? Feel free to swap it out for your favorite pasta, grain, or rice.

Choosing Your Roasted Vegetables

In this recipe, I chose to use the vegetables I had in my refrigerator. While onion, tomato, and garlic are always included in my veggie roasts, you can choose whichever veg you like best. Zucchinis, squash, and potatoes are also great additions to this dish.

When choosing your roasted vegetables, be sure to pick out the “ugly” pieces since you’ll be dicing them up anyway. Did you know, “about one third of the food humans produce globally gets thrown out,” often because it doesn’t look as good as the emojis on your phone?

Don’t throw out those ugly veggies. Instead, try this recipe when they’re starting to turn a bit brown or wrinkled. Be kind to mother earth, and make sure to use up all those veggies before they go bad!

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Roasted Vegetable Orzo

Recipe Author: Gabby Pogel

Hearty and easy to make, this Roasted Vegetable Orzo is the lazy vegan's go to meal! Customize with whichever veggies or pasta you have on hand.

Ingredients  

Vegetables (diced)

• 1 red onion

• 1 eggplant

• 1/2 red pepper

• 1/2 yellow pepper

• 1/2 green pepper

• handful mushrooms

• 4 tomatoes

• 6-10 cloves garlic

Sauce

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp agave

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 2 tsp paprika

• 2 tsp red pepper flakes

Base

• 1/2 pound orzo or pasta of your choosing

Instructions 

1. Dice all of your veggies and add them to an oven safe dish

2. Combine sauce ingredients and pour on top of veggies. Mix well before placing in the oven

3. Roast veggies for 30 minutes at 325°F

4. While your veggies roast, cook orzo according to package instructions

5. Add roasted veggies to orzo and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

• I used the veggies listed above, but you can use whichever you have on hand. I always recommend tomatoes, onions, and garlic because I find them most flavorful. Feel free to customize to your liking!

• Same with vegetables, use whichever pasta you have on hand. I love orzo, but I also make this recipe with penne, gnocchi, and rice.

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Health Benefits of Orzo

Orzo is a type of short pasta shaped like a rice grain. Available in various colors, it can be served in pastas, salads, and even soups. It is full of carbohydrates to keep you going all day.

The health benefits of orzo include:

• Full of fiber (at least 1.8g) and aids in metabolism

• Energizes and recharges you with healthy carbs

• Reduces risk of diabetes

• Contains lots of vitamin B

• Excellent source of manganese

This Italian pasta dish is not only full of health benefits, but incredibly versatile as well! Learn more about the health benefits of orzo here.

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Looking for more savory recipes from our blog?

Here are some of our favorite meals. We hope you enjoy!

• Italian Eggplant Patties (gluten free)

• Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Garlic

• Zucchini Fritters with Broccoli Stock (gluten free)