Orzo Primavera Fresh Vegetables (Printable)
Tender orzo with crisp spring vegetables in a light lemon-Parmesan sauce
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 8 oz orzo pasta
02 - 6 cups water
03 - 1 tsp salt
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 small zucchini, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 cup asparagus, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
08 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
→ Aromatics & Sauce
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Bring 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a large pot. Add orzo pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add diced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, asparagus pieces, and peas to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp.
04 - Add the drained orzo to the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Pour in the reserved pasta water, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until well combined and the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil and parsley until evenly distributed.
06 - Transfer to serving plates or bowls. Top with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The bright lemon and fresh herbs make every bite feel like spring no matter the season
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking
02 -
- The pasta water is crucial for that restaurant quality texture so do not skip it
- Overcooked vegetables will turn this into mush so keep them bright and slightly crisp
03 -
- Grate the Parmesan freshly from a block instead of using pre shredded cheese for better melting
- Zest your lemon before juicing it, the zest is easier to remove from a whole lemon