Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Pan Seared Paprika Tofu

Garlic parmesan orzo is a 30-minute meal starring orzo pasta in a creamy, tacky, garlick sauce. Prime it with this pan seared paprika tofu for a brilliant straightforward dinner. (gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free choices)

This can be a vegan model of creamy garlic parmesan sauce pasta topped with this crispy paprika grilled hen. A creamy garlicky sauce with pasta with the crisp protein is consolation meals any day.

As a substitute of extra standard pasta, I’m utilizing orzo. You need to use any cooked pasta right here. The sauce is the star right here. The smoky crisp tofu balances out the flavour and provides protein!

In case you’re not aware of orzo, it’s a small, rice-shaped pasta that’s a bit bigger than rice when cooked. The feel is like every other pasta, it’s simply miniature in measurement. Orzo cooks shortly and is so versatile! There are completely different sizes in orzo as effectively, use smaller or bigger based mostly in your desire.

As a substitute of hen, I’m utilizing slices of tofu which are coated on this scrumptious mixture of spices and flavors. They get crisped up on a skillet and sliced, they usually seem like hen.

The crust tastes like hen, however clearly, the within is a distinct texture. However they appear attractive, they usually style attractive on their very own and served with this orzo blended with this creamy, garlicky, tacky sauce.

The entire dish is straightforward and comes collectively actually shortly.

It has a couple of substances, and every part cooks in about half an hour. That is a straightforward weeknight meal that’s simply completely filled with taste!

You may change up the flavors by altering up the herbs that you simply add to the sauce and the tofu. You need to use Cajun spice as a substitute of the spices listed for the tofu and use completely different herbs within the sauce, reminiscent of Italian herbs, oregano, basil, and many others.

The scrumptious pan seared tofu simply pairs completely with the creamy sauce.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Parmesan Orzo

• tremendous straightforward weeknight meal
• creamy, tacky orzo pasta pairs so deliciously with the tender, crispy paprika tofu
• versatile! Use tofu or substitute your favourite plant-based protein, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, soy-free vegan hen, or chickpeas.
• tofu and sauce prepare dinner in a single pan whereas the orzo boils on the stovetop

Components

• orzo – That is your pasta. You need to use different bite-size pasta, for those who can’t discover orzo. Gluten-free pasta/orzo is okay to make use of.
• tofu – That is your hen, however you should use different plant-based proteins, for those who favor, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, soy-free vegan hen, or chickpeas.
• dried spices – We’re coating the tofu in a mix of cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic, parsley, black pepper, cayenne, and common paprika. For the sauce, you have to chili flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and dietary yeast. Change these up for taste variations.
• oil or vegan butter – To sauté the garlic and onions.
• vegan cream cheese – Make the sauce creamy! You need to use non dairy cream or cashew cream(mix 1/3 cup cashews with 3/4 cup water) or non-dairy yogurt, for those who favor
• flour – Helps thicken the sauce. Be certain that to dissolve it in a bit water earlier than including to the pan, so it received’t clump. Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead
• spinach – That is your veggie! Or add different veggies in your pasta. Or roasted veggies on the facet.
• vegan cheese – For the sauce and for garnish. These give the garlic parmesan orzo its deeper tacky taste.
• contemporary parsley – Provides a contemporary taste as a garnish. Use basil or oregano as a sub

The way to Make Garlic Parmesan Orzo

Warmth a big pot of water over medium-high warmth. Use at the least 4-5 cups of water. As soon as the water involves a boil, add the salt and orzo, then scale back the warmth to medium. Prepare dinner till the orzo cooks to desire. Test the package deal for the beneficial cooking time, then check it, cooking for an additional minute, if wanted. Drain the pasta, rinse with chilly water, and drizzle with a couple of drops of olive oil. Toss effectively, and put aside.

Press the tofu, for those who haven’t already, then slice into about ½-inch or barely thinner rectangles. You’ll get about 6 or 7 slices from the block. You may hold these slices as is or form them into chicken-like slices by eradicating among the edges of the tofu. 

In a shallow bowl, combine all of the spices for the tofu and the cornstarch rather well and unfold the combination within the bowl. Take every tofu slice, place it within the bowl, and flip it round to coat with the cornstarch combination on all sides, together with the thinner edges. Flippantly dab to take away any extra, and place it on a plate. Repeat for the entire tofu slices.

Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the oil, and as soon as sizzling, add the tofu slices or torn items. Unfold evenly and allow them to prepare dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or till the underside turns golden. Flip and prepare dinner the opposite facet till golden and barely browned. Take away from the skillet and put aside.

In the identical skillet you used for the tofu, warmth the skillet over medium-low warmth. Add the oil or vegan butter, then combine within the garlic and prepare dinner for 5-10 seconds. Add the onion and an excellent pinch of salt, combine in, and prepare dinner for a minute.

Enhance the warmth to medium, add a splash of water and the chili flakes, then combine and proceed cooking till the onion turns golden. Add splashes of water in between to assist brown it evenly. Relying in your skillet and range, it will take about 6-8 minutes.

Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dietary yeast. You can even add some Italian herbs reminiscent of oregano and basil, for those who like.

Stir within the non-dairy cream or vegan cream cheese. Combine the flour and water in a small bowl, till there are not any lumps, then add it to the skillet together with 1 cup of water. Combine every part in, urgent and mixing within the non-dairy cream cheese.

Convey the combination to a boil, then style and alter the salt and seasoning. Add the vegan cheese at this level.

Fold within the spinach and blend in. Let it simmer for a minute, then combine within the cooked orzo, and let it simmer for an additional minute earlier than switching off the warmth. 

Garnish with chopped herbs, like contemporary parsley or basil and an excellent sprinkling of vegan parmesan.

Slice the crispy tofu and add a serving to of orzo to your serving plate.

Place the tofu slices on prime of the orzo, sprinkle with extra parmesan and chili flakes, if desired, and serve. 

What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Orzo

This meal is scrumptious by itself or with my tacky garlic breadsticks to go along with it!