Pearled Barley Creamy Bowl (Printable version)

Comforting creamy barley with roasted vegetables for a wholesome, satisfying meal.

# What you need:

→ For the Creamy Barley

01 - 1 cup pearled barley
02 - 4 cups vegetable broth
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For the Roasted Vegetables

09 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup cremini mushrooms, quartered
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
18 - Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - Toss zucchini, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms with olive oil, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes until golden and tender, stirring halfway through.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
04 - Add pearled barley and stir to coat. Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley is creamy and tender.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2–3 more minutes until fully incorporated.
06 - Spoon creamy barley into bowls. Top generously with roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The barley develops this velvety texture that makes every spoonful feel like a warm hug
  • You can roast whatever vegetables you have on hand and they always taste better caramelized in the oven
  • Its one of those rare dishes that tastes even better as leftovers, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • Resist the urge to rinse pearled barley before cooking, it needs that surface starch to achieve the creamy texture
  • If the barley absorbs all the liquid before it is tender, add more broth 1/2 cup at a time
  • The vegetables can be roasted up to two days ahead and reheated before serving
03 -
  • Leftovers keep beautifully for up to four days and actually taste better as the flavors continue to meld
  • Add a splash of lemon juice right before serving to brighten all the flavors
Return