Description
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Orzo is a delightful spring dish that combines tender orzo pasta with fresh asparagus, a zesty lemon sauce, and creamy cheese for a comforting yet refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until tender.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon zest and juice, followed by the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cooked orzo and Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt.
- This dish can be served warm or cold as a pasta salad.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Creamy Lemon Asparagus Orzo, Spring Meal, Pasta Recipe, Vegetarian Dish