Orzo Primavera Italian Pasta (Printable)

Tender orzo pasta with fresh spring vegetables in a light, creamy lemon-Parmesan sauce. A vibrant Italian-inspired dish ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 ounces orzo pasta
02 - 6 cups water
03 - 1 teaspoon 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 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Method:

01 - Bring 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a large pot. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown 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 just tender-crisp.
04 - Add the drained orzo to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the reserved pasta water, then add grated Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until well combined and the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil and parsley.
06 - Serve hot, topped with additional grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Its ready in 35 minutes but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
  • The vegetable to pasta ratio is actually satisfying instead of sad
  • Lemon and Parmesan make everything taste brighter without heavy cream
02 -
  • The pasta water is not optional. It contains starch that helps create a silky sauce that actually clings to the orzo.
  • Do not overcook the vegetables. They should still have some snap when you bite into them.
03 -
  • Work in batches if your skillet is small. Overcrowding the pan will steam the vegetables instead of sautéing them.
  • Zest your lemon before you juice it. Trust me on this order of operations.

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