Ingredients
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 pound Green Asparagus
- 0.5 cup Frozen Peas
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Lemon
- 0.75 cup, grated Parmesan Cheese
Directions
A simple, 30-minute lemon parmesan orzo with asparagus and peas is perfect for a week-night dinner!
A fresh and filling pasta meal that comes together quickly and packed with veggies.
I don’t know about you but I am almost always in the mood for pasta!
This recipe is vegetarian and great for meal prep. You can enjoy it hot or even cold for when the temperatures are warm!
Green asparagus, peas and lemon pair really well together.
Asparagus is a great spring and summer vegetable that is packed with nutrients and fiber.
I always have frozen green peas on hand as they are beautiful vibrant green, can be added to almost any dish and adds a bit of sweetness as well.
If you are not a fan of asparagus, green zucchini or yellow summer squash are good alternatives.
Orzo is a short pasta that cooks up quickly but you can use any pasta shape you have and like.
Adding parmesan cheese adds a bit of a creamy and nutty element which rounds out this dish.
If you have leftover chicken, tofu or another protein, you can add it in as well.
I like keeping it vegetarian as the pasta is filling on its own.
Please leave your review for this lemon parmesan orzo with asparagus and peas recipe below.
For other comments or questions, please send me a direct message via my Instagram.
Steps
1 Done | Quick Prep WorkWash and the asparagus then cut or snap off the hard ends and peel any thick and fibrous bits before slicing diagonally or chop into smaller chunks. Get the peas out of the freezer and measure out into a bowl. Wash, dry and zest the lemon then juice. Lastly, grate the parmesan cheese and set aside. |
2 Done | Cook Orzo PastaBring pot of water to a boil, then add the orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes uncovered until al-dente. Keep about 1/2 cup of the pasta water then strain the pasta through a fine mesh strainer. |
3 Done | Cook VeggiesHeat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and minced garlic, stir then add sliced asparagus and peas. Sauté for just 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat and add fresh lemon zest and lemon juice. |
4 Done | Add Orzo Pasta to the SkilletAdd cooked orzo to the skillet along with the freshly grated parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper and the reserved pasta water. Stir to coat the orzo and allow the cheese to melt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Spoon the lemon parmesan orzo into bowl and serve with more freshly grated parmesan cheese, if desired. |
