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 an excellent simple 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 typical pasta, I’m utilizing orzo. You should utilize any cooked pasta right here. The sauce is the star right here. The smoky crisp tofu balances out the flavour and provides protein!
If you happen to’re not accustomed to orzo, it’s a small, rice-shaped pasta that’s a bit bigger than rice when cooked. The feel is like another pasta, it’s simply miniature in measurement. Orzo cooks rapidly and is so versatile! There are totally different sizes in orzo as nicely, use smaller or bigger based mostly in your desire.

As a substitute of hen, I’m utilizing slices of tofu which can be 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 give the impression of being beautiful, they usually style beautiful on their very own and served with this orzo combined with this creamy, garlicky, tacky sauce.

The entire dish is simple and comes collectively actually rapidly.
It has just a few components, and every part cooks in about half an hour. That is a straightforward weeknight meal that’s simply completely filled with taste!
You possibly can change up the flavors by altering up the herbs that you simply add to the sauce and the tofu. You should utilize Cajun spice as a substitute of the spices listed for the tofu and use totally different herbs within the sauce, resembling Italian herbs, oregano, basil, and so on.

The scrumptious pan seared tofu simply pairs completely with the creamy sauce.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Parmesan Orzo
- tremendous simple 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 cook dinner in a single pan whereas the orzo boils on the stovetop
For the Sauce
- 2 teaspoons oil, or vegan butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dietary yeast, or extra, to style
- ⅓ cup non-dairy cream, or, non-dairy yogurt, or vegan cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon flour, combined in 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup frozen spinach, or extra, to style
- 2 to three tablespoons vegan parmesan, and vegan mozzarella
- contemporary parsley, or basil or different herbs, for garnish
- extra vegan parmesan, for garnish
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
Prepare dinner the orzo.
-
Warmth a big pot of water over medium-high warmth. Use at the very 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 is cooked to desire. Test the package deal for the really helpful cooking time, then check it, cooking for an additional minute, if wanted. Drain the pasta, rinse with chilly water, and drizzle with just a few drops of olive oil. Toss nicely, and put aside.
Make the crispy tofu.
-
Press the tofu, should you 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 possibly can preserve these slices as is or form them into chicken-like slices by eradicating among the edges of the tofu. ( it’s also possible to dice or tear tofu into chunk measurement items and use)
-
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. Calmly dab to take away any extra, and place it on a plate. Repeat for all the tofu slices.
-
Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the oil, and as soon as scorching, add the tofu slices or torn items. Unfold evenly and allow them to cook dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or till the underside turns golden. Flip and cook dinner the opposite aspect till golden and barely browned. Take away from the skillet and put aside.
Make the sauce.
-
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 cook dinner for 5-10 seconds. Add the onion and a great pinch of salt, combine in, and cook dinner for a minute. Improve 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 too can add some Italian herbs, should you like. Stir within the non-dairy cream or vegan cream cheese. Combine the flour and water nicely 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. Deliver the combination to a boil, then style and modify the salt and seasoning. Add the vegan cheese (mozzarella and Parmesan) 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.
Serve.
-
Garnish with chopped herbs, like contemporary parsley or basil and a great sprinkling of vegan parmesan. Slice the crispy tofu and add a serving to of orzo to your serving plate. Place the tofu slices on high of the orzo, sprinkle with extra parmesan and chili flakes, if desired, and serve.
Nut-free, use nut-free non-dairy cream cheese and vegan parmesan. For a gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo and substitute cornstarch for the flour within the sauce.
For soy-free, use soy-free proteins, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, soy-free vegan hen, or chickpeas.
For a heartier meal, serve with roasted greens on the aspect.
Energy: 298kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 15g, Fats: 8g, Saturated Fats: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 3g, Sodium: 620mg, Potassium: 480mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 3242IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 3mg
Diet info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

Elements
- orzo – That is your pasta. You should utilize different bite-size pasta, should you can’t discover orzo. Gluten-free pasta/orzo is ok to make use of.
- tofu – That is your hen, however you should use different plant-based proteins, should you desire, 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’ll need 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 should utilize non dairy cream or cashew cream(mix 1/3 cup cashews with 3/4 cup water) or non-dairy yogurt, should you desire
- flour – Helps thicken the sauce. Be sure to dissolve it in just a little 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 aspect.
- 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
💡Ideas
- Begin boiling the water for the orzo earlier than you begin the tofu, so you may cook dinner each concurrently and save time within the kitchen.
- For a good creamier garlic parmesan orzo, you may stir in some non-dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream on the finish of cooking earlier than plating.
The best way to Make Garlic Parmesan Orzo
Warmth a big pot of water over medium-high warmth. Use at the very 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 really helpful cooking time, then check it, cooking for an additional minute, if wanted. Drain the pasta, rinse with chilly water, and drizzle with just a few drops of olive oil. Toss nicely, and put aside.
Press the tofu, should you 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 possibly can preserve 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. Calmly dab to take away any extra, and place it on a plate. Repeat for all the tofu slices.
Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the oil, and as soon as scorching, add the tofu slices or torn items. Unfold evenly and allow them to cook dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or till the underside turns golden. Flip and cook dinner the opposite aspect 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 cook dinner for 5-10 seconds. Add the onion and a great pinch of salt, combine in, and cook dinner for a minute.
Improve 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 too can add some Italian herbs resembling oregano and basil, should you 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.
Deliver the combination to a boil, then style and modify 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 a great sprinkling of vegan parmesan.
Slice the crispy tofu and add a serving to of orzo to your serving plate.
Place the tofu slices on high 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 together with it!

Incessantly Requested Questions
To make this nut-free, use nut-free non-dairy cream cheese and vegan parmesan. For a gluten-free model, use gluten-free orzo and substitute cornstarch for the flour within the sauce.
For soy-free, soy-free proteins, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, or soy-free vegan hen, or substitute with cooked chickpeas/beans