🧄✨ A Bright, Buttery Bowl of Comfort!
This creamy orzo dish combines tender pasta, crisp asparagus, and garlic in a lemony Parmesan sauce—elegant enough for date night but easy enough for weeknights!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ 15-minute meal – Quicker than risotto!
✅ Light yet satisfying – Fresh flavors with rich Parmesan
✅ Versatile base – Add proteins or swap veggies
✅ Leftover magic – Tastes great chilled as a pasta salad
📋 Ingredients
Pasta & Fats
- 100g (½ cup) orzo
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 120g (1 cup) asparagus, chopped into 2cm pieces
Seasonings
- ½ tsp each: sea salt, black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Finishing Touches
- 50g (½ cup) grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Orzo
- Boil orzo in salted water until al dente (~8 mins). Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Asparagus & Garlic
- Heat oil + butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic + asparagus, sauté 3–4 mins until tender-crisp.
3️⃣ Combine & Finish
- Stir in cooked orzo, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Off heat, mix in Parmesan + lemon juice until creamy.
4️⃣ Serve
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and lemon zest if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
🔹 Al dente orzo – Slightly undercook by 1 minute (it softens in the pan).
🔹 Asparagus prep – Snap off woody ends before chopping.
🔹 Extra richness – Stir in 1 tbsp cream at the end.
🔹 Storage – Fridge 3 days (add splash of water when reheating).
🍽 Serving Suggestions
✨ Pair with:
- Grilled salmon or chicken
- White wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
🎉 Perfect for:
- Spring dinners
- Meatless Mondays
- Picnic pasta salads (serve chilled)
🌿 Variations
- Mushroom lovers – Add sautéed cremini mushrooms
- Herb boost – Stir in 1 tbsp chopped basil or dill
- Protein-packed – Fold in shrimp or white beans
📊 Nutrition (Per Serving)
Approximate values:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 15g
🍋 Final Thoughts
This Lemon Garlic Orzo is bright, creamy, and full of spring vibes—the Parmesan melts into a luscious sauce, while the lemon cuts through the richness. It’s simple but sophisticated!
Chef’s secret: For restaurant-worthy presentation, shave Parmesan with a vegetable peeler.
Tag your creations #LemonOrzoMagic! 📸💛
Want to make it vegan? Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan! 🌱
