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One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 77 reviews

This One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo is a comforting, hearty dish that combines tender pieces of browned eggplant with a rich tomato sauce, perfectly cooked orzo, fresh spinach, and layers of melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Prepared entirely in one skillet and finished under the broiler, it’s a streamlined take on classic eggplant Parmesan with an Italian twist of orzo pasta, making it a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 1/4 lb. Italian eggplant (about 3) or 1 large globe eggplant, cut into 1″ pieces
  • Kosher salt, for seasoning
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 oz. fresh spinach (about 2 cups)
  • Torn fresh basil, for serving

Pantry Items

  • 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 8 oz. orzo pasta

Cheeses

  • 2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup), plus more for serving
  • 4 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into chunks

Instructions

  1. Prepare the eggplant: Line a sheet tray with paper towels and arrange the cut eggplant in a single layer. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and cover with another layer of paper towels. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then gently press down on the paper towels to absorb it.
  2. Brown half the eggplant: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add half of the eggplant pieces, season with salt, and cook, tossing occasionally, until well browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the browned eggplant to a plate.
  3. Brown the remaining eggplant: Using the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of oil and repeat the browning process with the rest of the eggplant, cooking until nicely browned. Remove and set aside with the first batch.
  4. Sauté aromatics and build sauce: In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chopped onion, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Add sliced garlic, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt; stir frequently and cook until garlic is fragrant and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and Italian seasoning, then bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Cook the orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and return the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and the sauce is thick and saucy, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  6. Add spinach and cheeses: Stir fresh spinach and grated Parmesan into the orzo mixture until the spinach wilts. Return the browned eggplant to the skillet and stir to distribute it evenly. Top the mixture with torn chunks of fresh mozzarella.
  7. Broil to finish: Place a rack in the closest position to the broiler and preheat the broiler. Broil the skillet, watching closely, until the mozzarella melts and starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
  8. Garnish and serve: Remove from the broiler and sprinkle torn fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Notes

  • Salting the eggplant helps reduce bitterness and excess moisture, which can otherwise make the dish soggy.
  • Use a large skillet that is oven-safe to broil the dish directly without transferring it.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth with water for a lighter option.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Fresh basil adds a bright finish but can be omitted or replaced with dried basil in a pinch.
  • This dish can be made vegetarian and is naturally gluten-free if gluten-free orzo is used.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: eggplant parmesan, one-pan meal, orzo recipe, Italian dinner, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/one-pan-eggplant-parm-orzo-recipe/