White Bean and Parmesan Baked Orzo.
I’ve been playing the single lady card for almost an entire month while my husband travels, and I’m not gonna lie… I sort of love it.
I am a person who craves her alone time, and it feels oh so fabulous to: peacefully sleep in the middle of a big bed with the ceiling fan on high speed, watch constant Felicity marathons and Cheaper By The Dozen thrice in one week without judgement, peel off all my nail polish piece by piece without a sideways glare, not have to tune out Monday Night Raw, not have to shower immediately {…or at all} after a workout, read for four solid hours every evening and eat whatever the heck I want for dinner at whatever the heck time I want. Dinner often presenting itself in a bottle of wine and a wedge of brie.
Things that are not so fabulous include: killing spiders the size of my head, taking out the trash {easily my least favorite chore}, doing monotonous laundry like dish towels {we have an excellent system on this front: I use them and throw them in a pile; he washes them once he can’t take it anymore}, baking two dozen cookies and having them all to myself {wait. maybe that’s good?}, having to manically clean the kitchen, the dining room, the family room, the bedroom and the bathrooms in a matter of minutes since I’ve neglected them for a month, having to turn off my mixer, turn off my oven, blow out my candles and run to the store mid-recipe because I forgot to buy lemons and having to carry annoying items up the stairs from the garage like 25 pound bags of flour.
I see a pretty even pros and cons list here.
This is just one of the few dishes that I made in bulk over the last few weeks, if only because having something readily available to pull out of the fridge enabled me more time to lose myself in some chick lit and ensure that the couch didn’t lose my body mold. And don’t worry, I wasn’t really alone. I clocked in a fair amount of TV time with Alexander Skarsgard.
But really… this is good stuff. So good in fact, that I made some again yesterday. I even added chicken since my lonesome days are over, and that was pretty dang tasty too. Beans and their creaminess are completely underrated.
White Bean and Parmesan Baked Orzo
serves 4+
1 cup of whole wheat orzo pasta
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups of raw spinach
1 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
fresh herbs for garnish, such as cilantro, parsley and basil
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bring water to a boil and prepare pasta according to directions, lessening the cooking time by 1-2 minutes since the pasta will bake.
While pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onions and peppers and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Add in mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes more, tossing occasionally. Add in garlic and spinach, and stir until spinach wilts, then turn heat down to low. Add in white beans, drain pasta and add pasta to the mix, then toss to combine. Turn off heat, add half of the grated parmesan, and toss once more.
Spray a baking dish (mine was 6 inches in diameter and almost 3 in height) with non-stick spray. Spoon orzo mixture into the baking dish, then top with remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, then if desired, broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese on top is golden. Garnish with fresh herbs.
And this bread? Oh… I’m totally going to tell you about this bread. Soon. Two words: brown butter.
122 Comments on “White Bean and Parmesan Baked Orzo.”
Thank you for just making me feel normal. I looove and crave my alone time too – and so when the Husband says he’s going to go out of town for the weekend, I say good riddance and pack his bag for him (not really). Whenever I see people talk about how they have to spend 100% of their time with their spouses, I kind of feel like a bad wife. You just made me feel awesome. :) I would have come over to watch chick flicks with you.
A few years ago I trained a couple who: lived together (obvi), drove to work together, worked in the same office together, drove to the gym together, had their training session together, then ran together, drove home together, and repeated it. Uhhh… I can’t even spend that much time with MYSELF.
I’m right there with both of you. Not married yet, but living with my significant other definitely leaves me feeling like I need some alone time, and lots of it. Your “single days” sound glorious. :)
From your pros and cons list, I think it’s safe to say That being a single lady is awesome on occasion! I Love being able to eat whatever I want, whenever, etc.
If I was choosing to eat this pasta dish whenever I want?
Um.. I would be eating it ALL the time!
I could definitely see how having a month to yourself could be both bad and good. I, too, crave alone time but after a few days or so it wears off and I want to get out and about again!
Best part about being home alone? Definitely the food. You get to eat whatever and how much you want without being judged. ;-)
I think your single lady days sound pretty stellar…
Not having to cook, clean, apologize for endless Bravo or E channel-ish type programing, waking up or going to bed when ever you feel like it..oh girl. Relish it. Savor it. Sounds like you have. Good girl :)
And good job on the orzo. I havent made orzo in about…10 years. I should change that!
This is my kind of meal! Perfect for that night when the hubs isn’t home for dinner. PS-I agree with all your pros and cons–and the TV time with Alexander Skarsgard. Yum.
I also like some alone time but it can be dangerous to have too much alone time with my desserts!
This looks delicious, I never think to cook with orzo.
My husband is a restaurant manager, and I am a teacher– so we live a life similar to yours! I get lots of alone time, but I still have to share the bed. I find that I get more done around the house when I am alone– it just works!
killing spiders is the worst. but if you don’t kill them then you just know they’re alive somewhere and going to come get you. this is all.
seriously.
This looks delicious and a nice healthy side dish with both veggies and starch. Love sides that incorporate both because it makes meals so much easier.
Enjoy you time to yourself – I agree on the evenly divided pros and cons. I hate the garbage thing and taking the dog out in the dark…but I love kind of doing my own thing sometimes.
I like my alone time, too… a month would be too much, but I love making messes and not having to pick up! This looks DIVINE. I’ve never made orzo! Eek!
I should have clarified – it was really just M-F for a month!
I agree about alone time with the husband. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely love and adore my husband, but it’s nice to have time to myself. Do you think our husband’s feel the same way about us? ;-)
The orzo looks delicious, Jessica! I am craving it right now!
I know mine does… I wonder why? ;)
This sounds so delicious, yet still pretty healthy! My hubby and I have this kind of routine worked out too so while I love cooking for just me, I hate it when it comes to taking the trash out and vacuuming the floors! He would probably love this too though.
I love my alone time too! I spend all day being ‘on’ and when I come home I just want to hit the switch for a while. And no, 20 minutes doesn’t do it. I need to watch one of my shows and wait far too long to shower, and drink wine.
I’m praying that if I’m ever blessed with kids I can scale back on the ‘needed’ alone time. I hear it kind of goes away for some reason. Hmmm?
Lol, Julie, I was just about to say how I love alone time, but haven’t seen it on about three years thanks to the kids. Oh well. totally making the recipe for supper next week, though. Looks great!
I know… I’m scared too.
My boyfriend was quite disappointed about how happy I was when he told me last night that he needs to travel a bit over the next couple of months….oops?
This looks super delicious, I don’t often make orzo myself but I’m going to have to try it now!
Great idea – so simple and yet an unusual combination of foods – definitely going in my to-try recipe box (yum!) :) ~Katie
I’m anti alone. I know…I’m weird. Tony and I have been together for almost 18 years now and well, I’m that old woman with her man that is never separate. In my defense, I didn’t marry a sports junky and he does NOTHING annoying. In truth, I’m probably the annoying one. The worst that he does, is watch the history channel and well, that’s not so bad. Now, about this dish…dang that looks good! I love all in one meals like this. I used to not be a fan of them, but now I realize the simplicity of them makes life so much easier and tasty!
I love you guys. So much.
I enjoy it a little when j travels too (although maybe not so much with the babe!) this dish looks awesome! I just need to think of a good sub for the mushrooms
yeah, not sure how I’ll feel about the traveling once kids come in the picture!
ok, you know i’m hooked with ‘brown butter’ but i’m totally making this pasta soon…maybe even tonight! it’s cold and rainy here right now and this would be PERFECTION for this weather :)
WOOOHOOO for single ladies (even if you’re not a full-time single lady!!) Big beds, chick flick marathons, Cheaper by the Dozen, wine, and creamy beans. Who needs men? ;) Well, maybe for the spiders.
YUM! This looks so delicious and right up my alley. I am always throwing beans and grains together, adding a ‘sauce’ and calling it a meal. What a fun play on orzo…almost a bit like risotto…definitely will be trying this soon!
I love all the flavors and simplicity of this dish. I haven’t had orzo in years!
I think we all feel the same way on our alone time! Of course when you have a kid…everything is different…hubs goes away, I’m still not alone! :) I eat vegetarian while my husband is gone too, and this looks delish!
LOL, I’m with you on the dishtowels and the trash!
worst chores ever.
Mmm love this! It sounds heavenly.
tell me about the bread soon i need to make this dinner oooo yumM!!! absolutely on the to do list. I love Felicity! good call
I hear ya on the alone time. I’m the one who travels for work but I love it! People always ask how it doesn’t bother me and my response is always “it keeps me sane!” I can’t imagine not having some time apart. Absence make the heart grow fonder, right?
I hate taking out the trash its always so heavy! Your dinner looks fantastic though!
When I got to the point on not having to tune out Monday Night RAW I actually stifled laughter. Jinx and a half. My beau just moved up to Philly so we’ll be apart for the next year and, though it’s a little quieter in the apartment, most of that is due to not hearing the musical sounds of intro themes for wrestlers with wrists bigger than my calf and the soundtrack of a Saturday afternoon being gunshots during Call of Duty 4.
Ah, the things we put up with for love.
Haha…Ryan and I spend a TON of time together, so I think whenever one of us goes out of town, the other kind of enjoys it for the first few days. Blessed silence!
I’m fairly certain I could make a batch of this and eat it again and again for most every meal. In fact, I think I’m going to do just that. Awesome.
I adore my alone time as well. Though I miss my husband when he’s gone, I certainly enjoy time for myself.
Looks good, especially with that homemade bread.
It is homemade, isn’t it?
If not, it’s one of the best looking pieces of bread I’ve seen.
DUH! I just went back and saw the last line of your post. I swear it wasn’t there before! ;-)
Can’t wait for that recipe either!
Why have I never really thought about mixing beans with my orzo? You don’t need to answer that, I should’ve just kept it in my head! Thanks for the great recipe!
I am not single either, but am an independent cat that I love to stay home by myself too.
And yep once again you make a dinner dish to add to my list of things to make. I love beans…like a ton.
I love that I read the whole thing and then when I got to the end about brown butter and bread thats all I can think about! Nothing better than being a single lady for awhile with a loaf of soft bread at your finger tips!
You’re fantastic. My hubby travels a lot too. He’s here for one week, then gone for one week, here for one week… well, you get the idea. I too LOVE being by myself for all of the reasons you mentioned. But the chores… the chores suck.
This looks all sorts of yummy to me! I thoroughly enjoy my alone time too but I rarely get it. Somehow I feel more productive when I’m left to my own devices. I’m glad your trash man is back. I wouldn’t trade mine either (:
Yes I am going nuts over that bread — it looks so good! Can’t wait to see the recipe.
As much as I love being married, I do like my single lady nights — watching Disney movies and bawling my eyes out!
Ah – this looks so good!!
You crack me up! 2010 was the year of my husband being a road warrior… always on a plane. It was HARD!! I missed him so much, but I filled my time with blogging and cooking.
“not have to shower immediately {…or at all} after a workout” BAHAHAHAHA!!! SO TRUE!! ;)
Alexander Skarsgard. Guh. Good single lady plan ya got there.
Also this dish looks delicious and super easy, just my style. And you think you got it bad with your meat eating husband…my fella doesn’t eat tomato sauce. But he does take out the garbage so I keep him. Anyway, pasta recipes without tomatoes are always A+.
Oh guess what?! I don’t really like tomato sauce either! But my husband loves it.
Peter is out of town from today until Thusday and I’m actually loving the thought of some alone chill time at night. although i make it out to him like I’m dying from having the kids to myself. LOL
Haha I’m sure I will do that one day too!
This is a cozy and comforting dish. Your pros and cons list sounds pretty on-point. Having to run mid-recipe to the store is the WORST. Husbands are great for that.
This looks incredible! Dinner tonight?… just might have to be.
A vegetarian entree made with whole wheat orzo…..I’m so proud of you :-D
What an awesome looking “lonely girl meal”!
1. I’m coming over for dinner – this look re-donkulous!
2. I laughed out loud about your towel “system” because it’s the same one I use… haha {I MAY do that with dishes too ;)}
3. NOTHING worse than lugging everything upstairs – we live in a 3 story townhome with the kitchen/living area on the 2nd floor – so I LOATHE carrying heavy groceries up (and OF COURSE taking the garbage down UGH!)
Oh man, this is one of the reasons we did NOT want to get a townhome because all I could think of was the steps. I can not even imagine!
totally understand about having the house to yourself. if i come home from dropping the kiddo at pre-school and my husband’s car is still in the garage, i yell (in my car so he can’t hear of course) “get out of my house!!!!” i mean it in the most loving way…
“we have an excellent system on this front: I use them and throw them in a pile; he washes them once he can’t take it anymore”… I seriously laughed out loud. I think we have a similar system in our house ;)
Hey, it works, right? ;)
I read your blog because I really like your recipes, but I KEEP reading your blog because you are so funny. Thanks for saying all the things we all feel! I love my alone time too; work out, cook and blog while sweaty and gross… clean up right before the hubby gets home. I do it almost every day!
P.S. I am kinda psycho about my dish towels… my Mom used your ‘system’ on her kids and I find I can’t take it very long!!!!
Thank you! :)
FELICITY!!! Oh how I miss that show! Hated how it ended though! Did you ever watch “My So Called Life”? It was another fave that I was sad ended.
I actually never got into that one!