Description
This easy Zucchini Orzo is a light and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta, sautéed zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. It’s perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or a delicious side dish. Great for meal prep, vegetarian-friendly, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add diced zucchini and cook for 4–5 minutes until tender. Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the cooked orzo to the skillet. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Remove from heat and mix in grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Serve warm with extra parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy!