Lemon Parmesan Orzo

Name: Lemon Parmesan Orzo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 cup orzo pasta; 2 cups vegetable broth; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 lemon, juiced and zested; 1 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Creamy orzo pasta with bright lemon, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. A quick, flavorful side or vegetarian main.

20 minEasyServes 4310 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerStovetopVegetarianAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1

In a medium saucepan, bring the 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
2

Add the 1 cup orzo pasta to the boiling broth and stir once. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
3

Remove from heat and stir in the 1 tbsp butter until melted.
4

Add the juice and zest from the 1 juiced and zested lemon, the grated 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, chopped 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
5

Stir until well combined and the mixture becomes creamy. If too dry, add a splash more broth or water.
6

Serve immediately while warm, with additional Parmesan cheese on top if desired.

Questions

Can I make Lemon Parmesan Orzo dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, 1 tbsp butter. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor); the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Lemon Parmesan Orzo gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup orzo pasta. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Lemon Parmesan Orzo keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Lemon Parmesan Orzo?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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