Vegan Marry Me Chickpea Orzo

Marry Me Chickpea Orzo is a creamy Italian inspired dish with sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, vegan parmesan cheese and basil. This dish is so good, it has been known to inspire engagement proposals from those who try it!

Marry Me Chickpea Ozro comes together with simple pantry ingredients to create a dish that tastes super rich, decadent, and creamy.

The story behind the name of this recipe is that if you serve this to someone, they will enjoy this amazing dish so much that they will propose to you! The lore of this recipe started in the early 1980’s when it was passed around in the office of Glamour magazine and 4 staff members who cooked the dishes for their loved ones got engaged soon after. The original recipe has been modified over time and recently went viral on TikTok. 

I have been seeing various versions this recipe all over the internet and have been dying to give it a try to see if it really is as good as all the hype! Although since I am single at the moment, I don’t expect to get any proposals anytime soon.

I decided to make mine vegan, of course! So instead of chicken, I used chickpeas as the protein source, but if you want to increase the protein of this dish I highly recommend adding seitan or tofu.

How to Make Marry Me Chickpea Orzo

I have tested this recipe several times. I had to work out the right amount of liquid to use, how much orzo to add, and how to not burn the orzo! I tried making this a one-pot meal and in the Instant Pot, but the orzo would always end up sticking to the bottom of my pot and burning. It didn’t ruin the meal, but it wasn’t a fun cooking or cleaning experience.

To avoid the burning the orzo, I first cooked in separately in a pot of boiling water for about 4 minutes and set it aside.

Then, I slowly layered the rest of the ingredients together in a large pot. First, melt some vegan butter over medium heat and cook the chopped onions until slightly translucent, about 3 minutes. You can lower the temperature slightly if needed once the onions are done cooking. Then add the tomato paste and mix until the onions are evenly coated. Now add in the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.

Next, add the chickpeas, minced garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 1 minute.

Next, deglaze the pot with white wine and scrape any burnt bits of the bottom of the pan. Cook until the alcohol has evaporated, about 1 minute. Then add the coconut milk and veggie broth.

Finally, stir in the parmesan cheese and add the orzo last. Remove from the heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens up a bit. Finally add the chopped basil and voila! Plate your Marry Me Chickpea Orzo and garnish with fresh basil.

Ingredients in Marry Me Chickpea Orzo

Vegan Butter: Adds a rich, creamy, and luxurious touch to the dish.

Yellow Onion: Finely chopped to provide a subtle sweetness and a savory base for the sauce.

Tomato Paste: A concentrated burst of tomato flavor that will deepen and enrich the sauce.

Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that will infuse the dish with classic Italian flavors.

Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and a touch of heat to the dish.

Paprika: Contributes a smoky sweetness and a vibrant color to the sauce.

Garlic: Minced garlic will provide a pungent aroma and a savory punch.

Chickpeas: A can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed, will add a hearty texture and a boost of protein.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

Sundried Tomatoes: These will bring a concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture to the orzo.   

Orzo: A small rice-shaped pasta that will cook quickly and absorb all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.

Dry White Wine: A splash of dry white wine will add depth and complexity to the sauce. I used a Sauvignon Blanc.

Vegetable Broth: The base of the sauce, providing a savory foundation for the other ingredients.

Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Creates a creamy and luscious sauce without any dairy.

Vegan Parmesan Cheese: Adds and extra layer of creaminess and cheesy taste.

Chopped Basil: A final touch of fresh basil will provide a bright, herbaceous aroma and a beautiful garnish.

What You’ll Love About Marry Me Chickpea Orzo

Flavorful and satisfying: The combination of creamy coconut milk, savory sundried tomatoes, and hearty chickpeas creates a deeply satisfying and flavorful dish that will please even the most discerning palates.

Easy to make: The recipe uses readily available ingredients and simple cooking techniques, making it accessible to cooks of all levels.

Comforting and sophisticated: Marry Me Chickpea Orzo strikes the perfect balance between comforting and sophisticated. It’s a dish that feels indulgent and special, yet it’s also approachable and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

FAQ

I’m avoiding alcohol, what can I substitute the white wine with?

You can substitute the white wine with 1/4 of vegetable broth or 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar diluted to 1/4 cup of water or vegetable broth.

I don’t like the flavor of coconut, can you taste it in this dish?

The canned coconut milk helps add a creamy element to this dish, but it does not impart a strong coconut flavor. You can replace the coconut milk with oat milk, soy milk, or any plant based milk of your choice if you need to.

Can you make this dish gluten free?

Since orzo is a wheat based pasta, this dish can not be made gluten-free the way it is written out here. However, you can turn this into a risotto using arborio rice. Add the rice after step six, then slowly add small amounts of the vegetable broth and coconut milk as the rice absorbs the liquids.

What can I add to this dish to make it higher in protein?

I would add seitan or baked tofu to make this dish higher in protein.