Vegan

Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta with Pan Seared Paprika Tofu

Garlic parmesan orzo is a 30-minute meal starring orzo pasta in a creamy, cheesy, garlick sauce. Top it with this pan seared paprika tofu for a super easy dinner. (gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free options)

close-up of garlic parmesan orzo in the pan with the crispy tofu

This is a vegan version of creamy garlic parmesan sauce pasta topped with this crispy paprika grilled chicken. A creamy garlicky sauce with pasta with the crisp protein is comfort food any day.

Instead of more conventional pasta, I’m using orzo. You can use any cooked pasta here. The sauce is the star here. The smoky crisp tofu balances out the flavor and adds protein!

If you’re not familiar with orzo, it is a small, rice-shaped pasta that’s a bit larger than rice when cooked. The texture is like any other pasta, it’s just miniature in size. Orzo cooks quickly and is so versatile! There are different sizes in orzo as well, use smaller or larger based on your preference.

Instead of chicken, I’m using slices of tofu that are coated in this delicious mix of spices and flavors. They get crisped up on a skillet and sliced, and they look like chicken.

The crust tastes like chicken, but obviously, the inside is a different texture. But they look gorgeous, and they taste gorgeous on their own and served with this orzo mixed with this creamy, garlicky, cheesy sauce.

The whole dish is easy and comes together really quickly.

It has a few ingredients, and everything cooks in about half an hour. This is an easy weeknight meal that’s just absolutely full of flavor!

You can change up the flavors by changing up the herbs that you add to the sauce and the tofu. You can use Cajun spice instead of the spices listed for the tofu and use different herbs in the sauce, such as Italian herbs, oregano, basil, etc.

fork taking a bite of garlic parmesan orzo

The delicious pan seared tofu just pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Parmesan Orzo

super easy weeknight meal
creamy, cheesy orzo pasta pairs so deliciously with the tender, crispy paprika tofu
versatile! Use tofu or substitute your favorite plant-based protein, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, seitan, soy-free vegan chicken, or chickpeas.
tofu and sauce cook in a single pan while the orzo boils on the stovetop

More Ways to Use Orzo

Orzo Puttanesca
Cajun Orzo Chickpeas
Lentil Orzo Salad
Mushroom Parmesan Orzo Bake

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Vegan

South Indian Marry Me Lentils

These marry me lentils are a vegan version of South Indian wedding curry. They have a rich flavor from the sauce from Hyderabadi wedding Chikin, made easier and in a single pan. (gluten-free with soy-free, nut-free, coconut-free, and oil-free options)

plate of South Indian marry me lentils with rice

This is a super delicious and decadent lentil curry. I use my Hyderabadi wedding chicken curry sauce and add lentils to it. That sauce is just incredibly delicious with an amazing combination of spices and herbs, and great textures from coconut and almond flour. And it comes out just perfectly every single time.

Don’t get intimidated by the long list of ingredients. Most of the ingredients get added to the pan almost at the same time. So it’s just about three steps to get a fantastically delicious, one-pan, lentil curry.

South Indian marry me lentils in the pan with herbs on top

Marry me lentils are great over rice or quinoa or with some naan or flatbread or even toasted sourdough or garlic bread. Or you can serve these over baked potato or roasted vegetables.

If you don’t like lentils, you can change up the protein by adding chickpeas, white beans, kidney beans, crisped up tofu, soy curls, or seitan, or any other plant-based protein that you like. Some crisped up vegan chicken will work as well.

South Indian marry me lentils in the pan with a swirl of non-dairy yogurt

Basically, all of the deliciousness in these marry me lentils is in the sauce. Use this sauce and let me know if you try it!

If you like this recipe, also try my marry me pasta which has the classic smoky, creamy, addictive sauce!

hand scooping up South Indian marry me lentils with flatbread

Why You’ll Love Marry Me Lentils

delicious, 1-pan dinner loaded with South Indian flavors
simple, whole food ingredients
flexible recipe. Use lentils, as written, or substitute your favorite plant-based protein.
delicious of rice, quinoa, naan, flatbread, toasted sourdough, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables
naturally gluten-free with easy soy-free, nut-free, coconut-free, and oil-free options