One-Pot Pantry Orzo With Chickpeas

This one-pot, pantry-friendly pasta is an invaluable addition to your repertoire. Whether you spent weeks traveling and are coming home to a near-empty fridge, or you simply can’t find the energy to whip up an elaborate meal, this recipe can be a crutch for those nights when your fridge is bare. Here fast-cooking orzo gets toasted in olive oil that’s infused with the punchy puttanesca-inspired flavors of garlic, capers, and green olives before cooking in a flavorful tomato broth amped up with dried oregano. Small pasta varieties like orzo are ideal for one-pot dishes as they will cook evenly in relatively small amounts of liquid. The starch they release as they cook adds a creaminess to the sauce for an effect similar to risotto. The whole thing comes together in under an hour and all in one pot, making it an ideal meal to whip up at a moment's notice. Serve with a scattering of fresh Parmesan and whole basil leaves if you have them.