Orzo Primavera Italian Vegetables (Printable Version)

Tender orzo with fresh spring vegetables in a light lemon-Parmesan sauce. Ready in 35 minutes.

# 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

# Method:

01 - Bring the water and 1 tsp salt to a boil in a large pot. Cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, asparagus, and peas. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, until vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
04 - Add the drained orzo to the skillet with vegetables. Stir in the reserved pasta water, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss until everything is well combined and creamy.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in basil and parsley.
06 - Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Chef's Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen
  • The vegetables stay crisp-tender instead of turning mushy
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Reserving that pasta water is non-negotiable—it transforms the texture from dry to luxurious
  • Do not overcook the vegetables or you lose the fresh primavera appeal
  • Add the lemon zest right at the end to preserve those fragrant oils
03 -
  • Grate your parmesan fresh from a block—it melts so much better than pre-shredded
  • If the pasta seems too dry, add another splash of pasta water rather than more oil
  • Make this in advance and reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen it up

Go Back