Disappearing Zucchini Orzo

Transform your summer zucchini surplus into a creamy, crowd-pleasing masterpiece with this Disappearing Zucchini Orzo recipe. This quick and easy dish combines tender orzo pasta with sautéed zucchini that melts into the dish, creating a luscious, veggie-packed base. A rich blend of Parmesan cheese, a hint of zesty lemon, and fragrant garlic elevate the flavors, while a light broth brings it all together into a risotto-like texture. Ready in just 25 minutes, this one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as a flavorful side dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve it warm for a comforting meal everyone will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 medium zucchini
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the orzo is cooking, finely shred the zucchini using the large holes of a box grater. Set it aside.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 4

Add the shredded zucchini to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The zucchini will soften and release its water; let it cook down until the liquid evaporates.

Step 5

Pour the vegetable or chicken broth into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cooked orzo and mix well to combine.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts and the mixture becomes creamy.

Step 7

Add the lemon zest and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1213.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1543.5

Total Fat 62.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 88.9mg	0%
Sodium 6388.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 189.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.7g	0%
Total Sugars 31.8g
Protein 64.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1032.6mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 1005.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 48.0%