Golden Orzo Soup with Chickpeas Recipe
This Golden Orzo Soup with Chickpeas is a comforting, flavorful dish packed with wholesome ingredients like tender orzo pasta, protein-rich chickpeas, fresh spinach, and a vibrant blend of spices including turmeric, ginger, and garlic. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner, this easy stovetop soup combines aromatic vegetables with a bright splash of lemon juice and optional crunchy toppings for texture, delivering a warm and satisfying bowl.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or frozen)
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup orzo
- 6–8 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Few shakes ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
Finishing Ingredients
- 3 cups baby spinach, sliced
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh cilantro, parsley, or basil
- Roasted chopped cashews or pepitas
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Main Ingredients and Cook: Add the chopped carrots, rinsed chickpeas, orzo, 6 cups of vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and turmeric to the pot. Increase heat to high, stirring to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the pot. Add more broth if the soup becomes too thick.
- Add Greens and Lemon: Stir in the sliced baby spinach and fresh lemon juice, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Remove the pot from heat and taste the soup, adjusting the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, or basil and a sprinkle of roasted chopped cashews or pepitas if desired for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of vegetable broth depending on how thick or thin you prefer your soup.
- For added protein, you can include cooked chicken or tofu as a variation.
- Turmeric adds a lovely golden color and anti-inflammatory benefits; ensure it is well stirred into the broth for even flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the soup, so add to taste depending on your preference for acidity.
- Use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa to make this soup gluten-free.
Keywords: Golden Orzo Soup, Chickpea Soup, Healthy Soup, Mediterranean Soup, Vegetarian Soup, Easy Dinner Recipe
