Spicy Orzo and Kale Recipe

Only a few ingredients stand between you and this easy, breezy spicy orzo and kale recipe. It's brothy, aromatic, and so easy to throw together making this spicy orzo recipe a perfect weeknight vegan dinner recipe.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Inactive time: 20

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 266kcal

Equipment

2 Large pots
Colander or sieve

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for sautéing
1 yellow onion peeled and diced
2 teaspoon lemon and crushed red pepper spice blend or use the juice of one lemon and crushed red pepper to taste
6 cups water or vegetable stock
8 ounces dry orzo
5 ounces baby kale
1 ounce fresh basil leaves thinly sliced, a few leaves reserved for garnish
Salt and pepper

Instructions

Sauté the aromatics:

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 6–7 minutes. You want it to sweat and barely begin to turn golden brown.
Add the spice blend (or lemon juice and crushed red pepper) and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Simmer the broth:

Pour in the water and season it liberally with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low. Hard simmer for 20 minutes until it reduces and deepens in flavor. Taste and season again to your preferences.

Finish the broth:

Add baby kale and sliced basil leaves and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the kale is wilted. Taste and season again to your preferences.

Prepare the orzo:

As the broth cooks, bring a large pot of salted water and cook the orzo until al dente. Drain and divide the orzo between shallow bowls. See note.

To serve:

Ladle the hot broth over the orzo. Garnish with some extra basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Enjoy!

Recipe notes

Note: If boiling the orzo separately, serve out what you intend to eat and then store the rest in an airtight container in the fridge. I like to drizzle the extra orzo with extra virgin olive oil to prevent it from sticking or clumping overnight. Then, store the broth separately and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove.

Nutrition