Vegetable Orzo Side Dish

Brighten up your next meal with this colorful and flavorful Vegetable Orzo Side Dish, a perfect balance of tender orzo pasta and vibrant sautéed vegetables. This quick and easy recipe combines a medley of zucchini, carrots, red bell peppers, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all tossed together in a light lemony finish. Cooked in savory vegetable broth, the orzo absorbs an extra layer of richness, while a hint of parsley adds a fresh herbal note. Optional Parmesan cheese offers a creamy, savory topping for added indulgence. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile side dish pairs beautifully with grilled proteins or can be enjoyed solo as a hearty vegetarian option. It's a crowd-pleaser that blends bold flavors, wholesome ingredients, and simple preparation—a must-try for pasta and veggie lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain any excess liquid, if needed, and set aside.

Step 2

While the orzo cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the diced carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 6

Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cooked orzo.

Step 8

Season the dish with salt, black pepper, and the lemon juice, mixing well to combine.

Step 9

Garnish with chopped parsley and, if desired, grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a light vegetarian meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1412.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1572.0

Total Fat 54.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 47.6mg	0%
Sodium 3273.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 219.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.4g	0%
Total Sugars 30.7g
Protein 63.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 887.5mg	0%
Iron 12.2mg	0%
Potassium 2457.9mg	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: 30.1%

Protein: 15.7%

Carbs: 54.3%