New England Soup Factory's Asparagus Lemon and Orzo Soup

Bright, fresh, and delightfully comforting, New England Soup Factory's Asparagus Lemon and Orzo Soup is a spring-inspired recipe bursting with vibrant flavors and creamy texture. This recipe artfully combines tender asparagus, fragrant lemon zest, and dill with orzo pasta to create a satisfying, herbaceous dish that’s perfect for any season. The soup is blended to silky perfection and then elevated with the zesty tang of fresh lemon juice and the aromatic touch of parsley and dill. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-make soup is a great choice for busy weeknights or an elegant starter for a dinner party. Serve it hot with a garnish of fresh herbs or a wedge of lemon for a refreshing burst of flavor in every spoonful. Perfectly capturing the essence of wholesome comfort food, this asparagus orzo soup is a must-try for lovers of bright, seasonal ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the asparagus pieces to the pot and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender.

Step 7

Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender to purée.

Step 8

Return the blended soup to the pot and bring it back to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.

Step 10

Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, dill, salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine.

Step 11

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 12

Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs or a wedge of lemon, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2931.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1408.8

Total Fat 36.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 9339.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 223.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 23.1g
Protein 53.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 357.8mg	0%
Iron 16.3mg	0%
Potassium 2289.1mg	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: 23.0%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 62.1%