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 rooster. 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 should use any cooked pasta right here. The sauce is the star right here. The smoky crisp tofu balances out the flavour and provides protein!

Should you’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 some other pasta, it’s simply miniature in dimension. Orzo cooks rapidly and is so versatile! There are completely different sizes in orzo as nicely, use smaller or bigger based mostly in your desire.

As a substitute of rooster, 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 rooster.

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

The entire dish is simple and comes collectively actually rapidly.

It has a number of substances, and every thing cooks in about half an hour. That is a simple weeknight meal that’s simply completely stuffed 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 use Cajun spice as an alternative of the spices listed for the tofu and use completely different herbs within the sauce, similar to Italian herbs, oregano, basil, and so forth.

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 rooster, or chickpeas.
• tofu and sauce cook dinner in a single pan whereas the orzo boils on the stovetop

Elements

• orzo – That is your pasta. You should use different bite-size pasta, when you can’t discover orzo. Gluten-free pasta/orzo is ok to make use of.
• tofu – That is your rooster, however you need to use different plant-based proteins, when you favor, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, soy-free vegan rooster, or chickpeas.
• dried spices – We’re coating the tofu in a combination of cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic, parsley, black pepper, cayenne, and common paprika. For the sauce, you will want 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 use non dairy cream or cashew cream(mix 1/3 cup cashews with 3/4 cup water) or non-dairy yogurt, when you favor
• flour – Helps thicken the sauce. Ensure that to dissolve it in a bit of 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

Methods 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 cut back the warmth to medium. Cook dinner till the orzo cooks to desire. Test the package deal for the beneficial cooking time, then take a look at it, cooking for one more minute, if wanted. Drain the pasta, rinse with chilly water, and drizzle with a number of drops of olive oil. Toss nicely, and put aside.

Press the tofu, when 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 maintain these slices as is or form them into chicken-like slices by eradicating a few of 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 all the 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 cook dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or till the underside turns golden. Flip and cook 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 cook dinner for 5-10 seconds. Sure we cook dinner the garlic earlier than onion to infuse the oil with garlic. This provides a stronger taste to make it a garlic Parmesan sauce! Add the onion and a very good 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 similar to oregano and basil, when 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 thing in, urgent and mixing within the non-dairy cream cheese.

Convey 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 one more minute earlier than switching off the warmth. 

Garnish with chopped herbs, like contemporary parsley or basil and a very good 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 together with it!