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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Lemon Asparagus Orzo

    Jump to Recipe
    Pin image with top square photo being a closeup sideview of the dished lemon asparagus orzo pasta and bottom a vertical overhead image of orzo pasta with asparagus and lemon sauce garnished with grated parmesan and a lemon twist in a white bowl and background.

    This delicious Lemon Asparagus Orzo combines tender pieces of lightly cooked asparagus with fine orzo pasta in a tangy lemon garlic sauce! Every bite is a refreshingly light flavor combination that pairs especially well with chicken or seafood dinners!

    Large square photo being a closeup sideview of the dished lemon asparagus orzo pasta.
    Tangy and deliciously tender orzo pasta served with freshly grated Parmesan and a lemon twist makes the perfect side dish!

    Lemon, asparagus, and orzo are the perfect combination!

    Orzo pasta is a great base for so many easy meals and side dishes! It's a short-grain Italian pasta that cooks up quickly and blends beautifully with a wide variety of vegetables, proteins, sauces, and herbs!

    I also like orzo in soups like my Italian chicken pastina soup, and it's wonderful in pasta salads too! There are so many ways to use orzo, but I do truly enjoy this pasta the most when it is flavored with fresh lemon juice!

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 😋 More Easy Side Dishes
    • 📋 Recipe

    🥘 Ingredients

    • 3 cups Water (or a combination of water and broth)
    • 1 cup Orzo (uncooked orzo pasta)
    • 1 lb Asparagus (spears only, or cut into chunks depending on your preference)
    • 2 tablespoon Butter
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic (finely minced or crushed)
    • 1 Lemon (zest + 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
    • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, or freshly grated when served)
    • Salt & Pepper (to taste)

    🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

    1. Start your lemon orzo with asparagus by setting a large saucepan or pot on to boil with 3 cups of salted water.
    2. Add one cup of orzo to your boiling water and follow the package instructions for cooking the orzo pasta. In general, the cooking time for orzo is between 7 - 10 minutes.
    3. While the pasta begins cooking, snap the ends off of the asparagus and chop into smaller pieces if desired. You will add the asparagus spears or chunks to cook with the orzo pasta.
    4. For semi-firm asparagus, add the asparagus in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Or for more fork-tender asparagus, add to the boiling water in the last 4 minutes of cooking the pasta.
    5. Drain the pasta and asparagus when cooked.
    6. Heat a large non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter.
    7. Once the butter is melted, add your finely minced or crushed garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
    8. Stir in the cooked orzo pasta and asparagus, then sprinkle with the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice.
    9. Toss to coat the orzo and asparagus in the lemon juice, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
    10. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with the grated Parmesan cheese when serving.

    💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

    • The water can be combined in a 50/50 ratio with broth or stock to compliment the flavor of the orzo pasta if it is being served as a side dish. I like to use vegetable stock if I am serving my lemony orzo as a light lunch.
    • There are many herbs that enhance the wonderful flavor of this easy, light meal or side dish. Try some fresh chopped parsley, thyme, or oregano as stir-ins or garnish!
    vertical overhead image of orzo pasta with asparagus and lemon sauce garnished with grated parmesan and a lemon twist in a white bowl and background

    😋 More Easy Side Dishes


    • Baked Sweet Potatoes
    • Buttered Noodles
    • Air Fryer Zucchini
    • Garlic Butter Mushrooms
    • Teriyaki Noodles

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    📋 Recipe

    Large square photo being a closeup sideview of the dished lemon asparagus orzo pasta.
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    5 from 18 reviews

    Lemon Asparagus Orzo

    This delicious Lemon Asparagus Orzo combines tender pieces of lightly cooked asparagus with fine orzo pasta in a tangy lemon garlic sauce! Every bite is a refreshingly light flavor combination that pairs especially well with chicken or seafood dinners!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 165kcal
    Prep 5 minutes
    Cooking 15 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 3 cups water (or a combination of water and broth)
    • 1 cup orzo (uncooked orzo pasta)
    • 1 lb asparagus (spears only, or cut into chunks depending on your preference)
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon garlic (finely minced or crushed)
    • 1 lemon (zest + 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
    • each, salt & pepper (to taste)
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated, or freshly grated when served)

    Instructions

    • In a large saucepan or pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions. Add the asparagus spears or chunks and cook along with the orzo for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking time. Drain when pasta is tender. *3 minutes for asparagus that is still semi-firm, or 4 minutes for a more fork tender asparagus.
      3 cups water, 1 cup orzo, 1 lb asparagus
    • In a large non-stick skillet or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
      2 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon garlic
    • Add the drained orzo pasta and asparagus to the sauteed garlic and butter. Sprinkle the lemon zest and lemon juice over the pasta, toss to coat. Remove from heat, then add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese.
      each, salt & pepper, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 lemon

    Notes

    • The water can be combined in a 50/50 ratio with broth or stock to compliment the flavor of the orzo pasta if it is being served as a side dish. I like to use vegetable stock if I am serving my lemony orzo as a light lunch.
    • There are many herbs that enhance the wonderful flavor of this easy, light meal or side dish. Try some fresh chopped parsley, thyme, or oregano as stir-ins or garnish!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 5g (8%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 13mg (4%) | Sodium: 110mg (5%) | Potassium: 233mg (7%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 722IU (14%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 83mg (8%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    garlic butter sauce, Lemon Asparagus Orzo, pasta side dishes
    Course Dinner Recipes, Pasta, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

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