Bright orzo with spring vegetables, basil and parmesan, finished with lemon for a creamy, light seasonal meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 cup orzo
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
05 - 1 cup zucchini, diced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
08 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Finishing & Garnish
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
11 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
# How-To:
01 - Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente according to package timing. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
02 - Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, taking care not to brown the garlic.
03 - Add the asparagus, diced zucchini and halved sugar snap peas to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are bright and just tender.
04 - Stir in the cherry tomatoes and thawed peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to soften but still hold shape.
05 - Return the drained orzo to the skillet and toss thoroughly with the vegetables to combine, ensuring even distribution.
06 - Reduce heat to low and stir in the butter, grated Parmesan, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time, tossing until a silky, lightly sauced consistency is reached.
07 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the sliced basil leaves just before serving to preserve freshness.
08 - Divide among warmed bowls or plates and garnish with additional grated Parmesan and basil if desired. Serve immediately.
