Orzo with spring vegetables, lemon, basil and parmesan — bright, creamy and ready in about 35 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 cup orzo (uncooked)
02 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin 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, thinly sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
13 - Zest of 1 lemon
14 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente according to package timing. Reserve 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water, then drain the orzo and set aside.
02 - Heat 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 softened and fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.
03 - Add the asparagus, zucchini and sugar snap peas to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just tender and remain brightly colored.
04 - Stir in the cherry tomatoes and thawed peas. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften and release some juice.
05 - Return the drained orzo to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine with the vegetables, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
06 - Reduce heat to low and stir in the unsalted butter, grated Parmesan, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until you reach a silky, lightly sauced consistency.
07 - Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently fold in the sliced basil leaves.
08 - Divide among plates and serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and basil if desired.
