Dinner for 3

Eggplant Pesto Orzo

Name: Eggplant Pesto Orzo
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup orzo pasta; 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 onion; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 1/4 cup vegan red pesto; 1 eggplant; 1 1/2 cup cooked cannellini beans; 3/4 cup water; 1/4 cup soy cooking cream; 1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp ground black pepper; 1 cup croutons; 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp italian seasoning

$7.70for 430 minServes 3

Orzo simmers with eggplant, beans, tomato paste, and pesto, then finishes with soy cream, nutritional yeast, and crisp croutons.

Photo: pickuplimes.com

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
	Pasta, 3.5 oz$0.10/oz typical	3.5 oz	$0.35Typical price
	Onions, 0.4 lb$1.29/lb typical	0.4 lb	$0.52Typical price
	Canned tomatoes, 2 oz$0.08/oz typical	2 oz	$0.16Typical price
	Alfredo, 2.25 oz$0.18/oz typical	2.25 oz	$0.38Typical price
	Eggplant, 1 lb$1.99/lb typical	1 lb	$1.99Typical price
	Canned beans, 9.75 oz$0.09/oz typical	9.75 oz	$0.88Typical price
	Heavy cream, 2 oz$0.22/oz typical	2 oz	$0.46Typical price
	Bread crumbs, 4 oz$0.14/oz typical	4 oz	$0.56Typical price
Total for the servings shown		$5.77

Swaps

Swap onions for red onionsabout $0.20/lb more at typical prices
Swap heavy cream for evaporatedabout $0.08/oz less at typical prices
Swap pasta for egg noodlesabout $0.04/oz more at typical prices
Swap canned beans for dried beans and lentilsabout $0.02/oz more at typical prices

Pantry staples you likely have

Olive and cooking oilDried herbs, spices and seasoning blendsSalt and pepperDried spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano)

Not included in the cost.

30 minstart to table
Easydifficulty
3servings as written
$typical cost tier

Italian Vegetarian Budget Dinners

Typical price

$1.92 per serving$7.70 for 4

City Store

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

Ingredients

1 cup orzo pasta
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup vegan red pesto
1 eggplant
1 1/2 cup cooked cannellini beans
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup soy cooking cream
1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup croutons
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp italian seasoning

Steps

Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the diced onion and eggplant for 8 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning, and cook for 1 minute.
Add the orzo and water, then simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender.
Stir in the cannellini beans, red pesto, soy cooking cream, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes.
Heat the remaining oil in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the croutons for 3 to 4 minutes.
Top the orzo with the toasted croutons and serve hot.

Main ingredient on sale this week? See what to make with canned beans on sale.