5.0 from 15 votes
Lemon Orzo Soup
One-pot Lemon Orzo Soup is cozy & comforting yet light, healthy, and wholesome – made with simple ingredients and bursting with fresh, bright flavors! Now vegetarian/vegan, too!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 to 6
Calories: 394 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Greek
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 3 celery ribs finely diced
- 4 medium carrots finely diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 5 to 6 cups of vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 1 pound of super firm tofu diced
- 1 cup of uncooked orzo
- 1 to 2 lemons
- ¼ cup of fresh parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, onion, and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add the broth and Italian seasoning. Mix well and bring to a boil, add the tofu, lower the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Uncover, gently mix, and add the orzo. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Turn off the heat. Zest one lemon directly into the pot and add the juice of that lemon. Add the parsley, stir, and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon levels.
- Serve and optionally garnish with lemon slides or wedges.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- To save time: Use pre-prepared mirepoix and/or minced garlic. Just note that the taste and freshness can vary.
- Lemon to taste: You can add as little or as much as you like.
- Leave it to rest: Orzo soup tastes even better after the flavors have time to meld.
- To avoid mushy orzo: While it’s easiest to cook it directly in the soup, making and storing the orzo separately ensures it won’t become mushy or soaks up too much lemony broth.
Nutrition Information
Calories
394kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
60g
(20%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Sodium
1308mg
(55%)
Potassium
602mg
(17%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
11157IU
(223%)
Vitamin C
25mg
(28%)
Calcium
94mg
(9%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4to 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 394
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 394kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Sodium | 1308mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 602mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 11157IU | 223% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.