How about we whip up a quick and delightful Mediterranean dish tonight? This easy recipe for Mediterranean Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a real crowd-pleaser. This recipe is perfect as a hearty side dish or vegetarian main course. It is packed with flavors that will leave your taste buds singing.
Mediterranean Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a delightful symphony of al dente orzo, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a pop of garlic.
This simple, one-pot wonder will transport you straight to a sunny Mediterranean beach.
It's a dish bursting with bold, hearty flavors that your entire family will adore!
Ingredients
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a rich, fruity flavor and acts as the perfect base for sautéing the ingredients.
- Onion: Provides a savory and aromatic base for the dish, adding depth of flavor to the orzo.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with its distinct pungent flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Roasted Red Pepper Flakes: Contribute a subtle kick of heat and smokiness, elevating the dish's flavor profile.
- Orzo: I used DeLallo; gluten-free if necessary. This small pasta adds a delightful texture and body to the dish, making it a versatile and satisfying choice.
- Vegetable Broth: Serves as the flavorful liquid base, infusing the orzo with savory notes and ensuring a luscious, well-seasoned outcome.
- White Wine: Adds a touch of acidity and depth to the dish, enhancing its overall complexity and flavor profile.
- Goat Cheese: Crumbled for a creamy, tangy addition that brings a luxurious richness to the orzo.
- Quartered Artichokes: Drained and rinsed, these provide a tender, slightly nutty flavor and a satisfyingly hearty texture to the dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Rehydrated and sliced, these add a chewy, sweet-tart flavor and a pop of vibrant color to the orzo.
- Diced Roasted Red Pepper: Offers a sweet, smoky flavor and a delightful burst of color, further enhancing the visual appeal of the dish.
Tips and Tricks
- Sun-Dried Tomato Hack: If your sun-dried tomatoes are a bit too chewy, soak them in boiling water for about 10 minutes before slicing. This will soften them up nicely, making them easier to chop and more pleasant to eat.
- Cheese, Please: Don't shy away from experimenting with different types of cheese if goat cheese isn’t your thing. Feta cheese could be a fabulous alternative, adding a lovely briny tang.
- Leftover Love: This dish is even tastier the next day after the flavors have melded together overnight in the fridge. It makes a fantastic lunch option. Just add a little extra olive oil when reheating if it seems a bit dry.
- Garnish: For an extra touch of freshness, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving. It not only adds a pop of color but a burst of flavor that complements the Mediterranean vibe of the dish.
More Mediterranean-Inspired Recipes
- For a protein-packed main dish, try the succulent Mediterranean Chicken, with aromatic herbs and spices, and cooked to perfection.
- Looking for a healthy side or vegetarian main? Our Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a colorful mix of fresh veggies, protein-rich quinoa, and a tangy vinaigrette.
- The Mediterranean Bowl is a delightful medley of flavors and textures, featuring fresh greens, hearty grains, and a zesty homemade dressing.
- Indulge in the Tuscan Pasta Salad, a refreshing blend of al dente pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella tossed in a vibrant basil pesto.
Mediterranean Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon roasted red pepper flakes
- 12 ounces orzo I used DeLallo; gluten free if necessary
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup white wine
- 3 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 14.5 ounces quartered artichokes drained and rinsed
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes rehydrated and sliced
- ⅓ cup diced roasted red pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute. Add orzo and cook for three more minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in broth and wine and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 12 minutes, until orzo is al dente. Stir in coat cheese and cook for two minutes. Add artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers to the pan and cook until the vegetables are warmed though, about 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Stephanie Lee
This is an awesome recipe! I love artichokes, and combining them with sundried tomatoes sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Wendy Polisi
Thanks Stephanie!
Rebecca Bryant
Oh my this looks good. I do enjoy a good meal of pasta or pasta type dishes. The sun dried tomatoes are a nice infusion of flavor.
Wendy Polisi
Thanks so much Rebecca!
Terri Steffes
This dish looks amazing. I would love to have this on my table. The colors are fantastic.
Wendy Polisi
Thanks Terri!
Julie DenOuden
My dad really liked us girls to have long hair so I'm pretty sure that's why my mom let us keep it! And this recipe has so many of my favorite things in it so this is getting bookmarked!
Wendy Polisi
My husband is the same way with my daughter and I don't have the heart to cut it.
Michelle Myers
I have 3 girls so I truly know your pain! My girls have thin, straight hair in their younger years so we haven't had too many battles but even just having them brush their hair can be a dramatic event... :/
Wendy Polisi
Having older boys did not prepare me for the drama of a little girl. 🙂 I THINK she is getting better with the brushing but we have a long way to go with the washing.
Allison Lancaster
This looks so amazing! I needed a new recipe for rotation during the week and I may try this!
Wendy Polisi
Let me know if you try it Allison!
Dogvills
That looks yummy. I am not on a gluten free diet, but I would love to try this. Thanks for the recipe.
Wendy Polisi
Thanks! You could easily use regular orzo if you aren't gluten-free.
Becca Wilson
I have just recently started making more meals with orzo. My family loves it and so this dish would be perfect to give a try this week.
Wendy Polisi
Let me know if you try it Becca!
Taylor Smith
This looks TOTALLY delicious. I love that! I think artichokes are so yummy and I LOVE LOVE sun dried tomatoes!
Wendy Polisi
Thanks Taylor! I am right there with you - artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes are favorites.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com
This looks really delicious. I've only had orzo a couple of times but its so good. Would love to introduce this dish to my family it looks super tasty!
Wendy Polisi
Thanks so much! I don't think to cook orzo often enough either!
Amanda Love
I love sundried tomatoes! They add a depth of flavor in any dish and there's just so many recipes that you can use it in. Thanks for this!
Suzanne Spiegoski-Decamps
This looks absolutely freaking delicious! Definitely pinning and trying this recipe for myself! Thanks for sharing 🙂
caroline | thecarodiaries
Oh my goodness!! This looks so amazingly delicious! I seriously think my mouth just watered! If only I wasn't such a mess in the kitchen...
Shannon Graham
A great gluten-free meal option!