Lemon Orzo Primavera

Submitted by misscrys79

"I was looking for a recipe that could use up some of the zucchini from the garden that the hubby and the kids wouldn't turn up their noses to and I came across this gem! My 6-year-old's comment after he tasted this was: "Mommy, I love, Love, LOVE this!" I hope that you enjoy it nearly as much as he did."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 14 ounces vegetable broth (chicken would work well too)
• 1 lemon, zest of
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

directions

1. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Stir in orzo and cook 2 minutes, or until the orzo starts to turn golden.
2. Stir in garlic, zucchini and carrot and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add broth, lemon zest and thyme and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed and the orzo is tender. Top with Parmesan cheese to serve.

Reviews

[Nikoma]

Made this to use up some stray veggies. I kept to the recipe with one exception - I added 1/2 a yellow squash to the mix. It may have been my lemon, but mine ended up with a bit more bitter flavor then I cared for. And the veggies were a tad bit overdone for me after simmering for 20 minutes. If I had to do it over I would add them along with the broth, or maybe even later (being shredded they don't need much cook time :) All and all it was something new, easy, quick and versatile. Appreciate you posting!

 

[MacV3712]

I have saved this one for a long time, but the family kept saying "no more zucchini"./ But I found some tiny asparagus and tried that. Oh please, try it with this. It is so great/ Family loved it and couldn't be easier. Truly a 5 star recipe

 

[kitty.rock]

We REALLY enjoyed this as a side with a lemon-honey chicken dish. I think it would certainly stand alone for a meatless dinner night :) Loved the thyme and lemon flavorings ~ I also added a bit of salt and pepper, as my broth was sodium-free. Thanks for a quick and very easy keeper recipe.

 

[Sandyg61]

This made a nice side dish and would be good as a main dish for a light supper in th summer

 

[Susie D]

I saw Amanda in OZ's photo during PAC and quickly saved this recipe. I am so glad I did! This has such a nice flavor. The lemon & thyme show up well and the colors of the browned orzo and veggies are appealing. I used chicken broth and also added salt & pepper. I served this as a side dish, but with a salad I could make a meal out of this. Thank you for sharing a recipe I will make again!