Zucchini Orzo Recipe
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Total Time
45 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
269 kcal
-
Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Appetizer
-
Cuisine
American
Zucchini Orzo Recipe
Description
This recipe cooks orzo pasta directly in chicken broth with Italian seasoning until tender, absorbing flavorful broth. Meanwhile, diced zucchini is sautéed with butter, onion, and garlic until softened, adding a sweet aromatic base. After draining, halved cherry tomatoes and pesto are stirred into the orzo, then the sautéed zucchini and some Parmesan cheese fold in, providing creamy richness and texture contrast. The dish is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste and finished with additional Parmesan and optional fresh parsley for color and brightness.
The result is a satisfying warm dish offering a comforting pasta texture paired with tender vegetables and herbaceous pesto flavor. It works well as a side or a lighter vegetarian main course.
Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to four days, making it convenient for meal prep or quick reheating.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth or as needed
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 small zucchini diced, about 1 ½ cups
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup cherry tomato halved
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese divided, shredded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- parsley for garnish, optional, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Bring orzo, broth, and Italian seasoning to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 13-15 minutes uncovered until the orzo is tender, adding more broth if needed.
- While orzo is cooking, dice zucchini into ¼ inch pieces.
- Fry onion in butter, add garlic until fragrant, add zucchini. Cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
- Once orzo is cooked, stir in tomatoes and pesto. Cover and rest 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini and 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 269 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 269 | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 767mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 374mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 616IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 118mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
