This zesty lemon garlic orzo with roasted greens makes the proper wholesome aspect dish or gentle meal by itself.

Overhead view of orzo with roasted vegetables garnished with a few pieces of fresh basil. There are a few cherry tomatoes beside the bowl and a small dish of chopped fresh parsley.

About this Recipe

This easy however tasty orzo recipe is full of flavour and certain to be successful! It’s straightforward to make with minimal elements and whether or not you grill or roast them, it’s an effective way to make use of up veggies from the fridge or backyard.

The greens are roasted in olive oil and herbs to deliver out their flavours, then combined with orzo and a lemony dressing for a zesty and savoury flavour combo.

The orzo might be served immediately as a sizzling pasta dish or cooled and served as a chilly pasta salad. Both means, it’s certain to be a brand new favorite. You’ll be able to’t beat it for a fast weeknight meal or straightforward aspect dish.

Fast Highlights

  • Vegetarian and vegan (dairy-free).
  • Straightforward to make with minimal elements.
  • Could be personalized with any greens.
  • Prepared in about Half-hour.
  • Get pleasure from as a aspect dish or meatless major.
  • Could be served sizzling or chilly.
  • Makes nice leftovers so works for meal prep.

Ingredient Notes

All of the ingredients gathered for making a vegan roasted vegetable orzo recipe. Each ingredient is labelled with text and the list can be found on the corresponding blog page.

An entire record of elements with quantities and full directions is situated within the printable recipe card beneath. This part covers ingredient and substitution concerns.

  • Orzo: Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta. Remember to learn the label if you happen to’re vegan as some manufacturers include eggs.
  • Purple Bell Pepper: The recipe requires crimson bell pepper however orange or yellow bell pepper would additionally work.
  • Zucchini: You’ll want one small recent zucchini.
  • Purple Onion: One small or half a big crimson onion. Purple onion is finest right here however you might use a white onion if that’s all you could have.
  • Tomato: Use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
  • Garlic: Use 2 cloves of garlic of if wanted, you may substitute 1 tsp garlic granules.
  • Dried Herbs: You’ll want dried thyme and oregano. You’ll be able to substitute 2 tbsp every of minced recent herbs if you happen to like.
  • Lemon: You’ll want 1 recent lemon to make the lemon zest and lemon juice.
  • Olive Oil: A superb high quality additional virgin olive oil works finest right here. I wouldn’t suggest one other oil.
  • Parsley: Non-obligatory however provides some freshness when combined in on the finish. Basil would even be good!

Step-by-Step Photographs

Step 1: Roast the Greens

Preheat the oven to 425 levels F. Chop up all of your veggies, slicing roughly the identical bite-sized items for every part, and add them to a big sheet pan in a single layer.

Add 1/2 a tablespoon (1.5 tsp) of the olive oil, the thyme and oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast the veggies for about Half-hour, stirring them midway by way of.

QUICK TIP: Use a big baking sheet, or two if wanted, so the veggies have some area round them.

After they’re piled on prime of one another they have an inclination to steam relatively than roast so make sure to give them room to breathe to allow them to roast and caramelize.

Chopped red onion, bell pepper, zucchini and cherry tomato tossed with herbs and oil on a baking pan.

Step 2: Cook dinner the Orzo

As soon as the veggies are within the oven, begin bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. As soon as it’s boiling, prepare dinner your orzo in accordance with the bundle directions. As soon as it’s completed, drain and add to a big mixing bowl or serving bowl.

I desire orzo cooked al dente, which was 6 minutes of cooking time for the model I used. It may possibly differ from 5-10 minutes although, so verify the bundle for directions.

Step 3: Combine the French dressing

In a small bowl, whisk collectively the remaining olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Fast Tip: Use a citrus planer or garlic press to get the garlic good and clean, virtually like a paste!

Lemon garlic olive oil vinaigrette mixed in a small dish on a counter.

Step 4: Mix and Get pleasure from!

As soon as the veggies are completed, add them to the bowl with the orzo together with the French dressing and chopped parsley and blend every part up.

Orzo mixed with roasted red onion, tomato, zucchini and bell pepper in a large bowl with a wooden spoon resting in it.

That’s it! Serve the orzo immediately for a sizzling pasta or chill within the fridge till serving for a chilly dish.

For serving, strive sprinkling with extra parsley and recent cracked black pepper, lemon and/or recent basil leaves, if you happen to like!

Overhead view of a large serving bowl of roasted vegetable orzo. There are a few pieces of basil garnishing the orzo and there is a hand holding the handle of a spoon that's resting in the orzo.

Variations & Additions

  • Combine in just a few handfuls of spinach or child kale on the finish.
  • Add a can of white beans or chickpeas on the finish for extra protein and texture.
  • Add 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes and/or black olives or kalamata olives on the finish.
  • Roast 1 cup of corn kernels with the veggies or add them on the finish.
  • When you have a grill, strive utilizing a grill basket to make grilled greens for this dish! Good for summer time.
Close up of a small bowl of orzo with roasted red onion, tomato, zucchini and bell pepper, sprinkled with fresh parsley and black pepper.

FAQs

Do I’ve to make use of orzo?

No. You may make this recipe with any quick pasta form like penne, farfalle, rotini or fusilli. You would additionally use an extended pasta form like spaghetti or linguini, I simply desire smaller shapes for this recipe.

Is that this recipe gluten-free?

No. Common orzo is made out of wheat so the recipe isn’t gluten-free. If you will discover gluten-free orzo, use that, or substitute any quick form of gluten-free pasta like brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta.

What greens can I exploit on this recipe?

This recipe works effectively with tomatoes, zucchini, any color of bell pepper, mushrooms, shallot, onion, asparagus, inexperienced beans, carrot or broccoli.

Use roughly 4-5 cups of chopped greens in complete.

In the event you use hardier veggies like candy potato, carrot, Brussels sprouts, and many others. I’d roast them on a separate pan and get them within the oven about 10 minutes earlier than issues like bell pepper, zucchini and tomato since they take a bit longer to prepare dinner by way of.

Are you able to freeze orzo with roasted greens?

Technically, sure, you might freeze this recipe nevertheless it’s not likely a really perfect freezer recipe. The veggies wouldn’t have one of the best texture after thawing.

Overhead view of a small bowl of orzo with roasted vegetables. There is a small dish of chopped parsley and a few cherry tomatoes scattered around the bowl. There is a another larger bowl of orzo just outside of the frame.

Storing

  • Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
  • Get pleasure from leftovers chilly or reheat them within the microwave.

Did you do that recipe? I’d love to listen to about it! Click on right here to depart a overview.

Print

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Overhead view of orzo with roasted vegetables garnished with a few pieces of fresh basil. There are a few cherry tomatoes beside the bowl and a small dish of chopped fresh parsley.

Orzo with Roasted Greens Recipe


  • Creator:     Deryn Macey

  • Prep Time:     10 minutes

  • Cook dinner Time:     30 minutes

  • Whole Time:     40 minutes

  • Yield:     6 1x

  • Class:     Aspect Dish

  • Delicacies:     Mediterranean

  • Food regimen:     Vegan

Description

A straightforward recipe for orzo with savory herb roasted greens in a zesty garlic lemon dressing. Get pleasure from this pasta sizzling or as a chilly pasta salad – each methods are scrumptious!

Directions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 levels F.
  2. Roast Greens: Chop all of the veggies roughly the identical measurement and add them to a big baking sheet with sufficient room to unfold in an excellent layer. Use 2 pans if vital. Add 1/2 tbsp (1.5 tsp) of the olive oil, the dried thyme and oregano and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Combine to coat. Roast for 25-Half-hour, stirring as soon as midway by way of.
  3. Cook dinner Orzo: Begin bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. As soon as boiling, prepare dinner the orzo in accordance with bundle directions. As soon as cooked, drain and add to a big mixing bowl or serving bowl.
  4. Combine Dressing: Combine the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small dish till mixed.
  5. Mix: As soon as the greens are completed, add them to the bowl with the orzo and dressing and toss to coat. Combine within the recent parsley. Style and modify the seasoning if wanted.
  6. Serve: Serve orzo immediately with extra recent parsley, recent cracked black pepper and lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

Serves 6-8 as a aspect dish or 3-4 as a major. I’d counsel including your alternative of protein if having fun with as major dish.

Retailer leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days. Leftovers might be loved chilly or reheated within the microwave.

Diet

  • Serving Dimension: 1/sixth of recipe
  • Energy: 204
  • Sodium: 398 mg
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g

Key phrases: orzo with roasted greens