This summer, I am all about easy, delicious dishes; that’s why, I have been hooked on this easy lemon orzo. It is so light and fresh for summer and pairs well with chicken and seafood dishes. Most importantly, this recipe is super easy and quick!
Orzo (Italian for “barley”) is a form of short-cut pasta that is shaped like a grain of rice. It is often used in Italian cooking including dishes like soup, casseroles, salads, etc. Today, I am keeping it simple and sharing the recipe for a side dish perfect for any night of the week! Austin and I love this lemon orzo because it is a great substitute for rice. We like to switch things up now and then.
Lemon Orzo | Taking Weeknight Dinners Up a Notch
I’ve been getting back into the swing of things with my work outs; Pure Barre is my new jam. I usually go to class after work, which does not leave a lot of time to make dinner so I lean on quick, no fuss recipes like this lemon orzo. I guess you can say I’m pretty freaking tired by the end of the day. Adulting is hard. I am probably committing multiple culinary sins with this recipe but I won’t tell if you don’t. After preparing the pasta according to the package directions, the recipe calls for you to toss in all the ingredients at once: cheese, juice, butter (olive oil), parsley and salt. Stir and enjoy. Does it get much easier?
Sheet Pan FTW
Another shortcut I use to save time on weeknights is to take advantage of sheet pan recipes. I love to roast seafood and veggies in the oven. It is SO simple and requires very little clean up. Lately I’ve been sharing some of my sheet pan dinners on Instagram (see below) and I’ve been getting a lot of requests for easy recipes. I am planning to write a post to round up some of my favorites (hopefully next week). Stay tuned.
If y’all give this recipe a try, be sure to share post a picture on Instagram and tag me @bluecheesebungalow. I’d love to hear from you.
Kelsey Renee
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- ¼ cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- Juice of one lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1. In a large saucepan, bring 3 quarts of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add dried orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- 2. Drain orzo in a colander then pour into a large mixing bowl.
- 3. Stir in butter, cheese, salt, and parsley until well combined. Add lemon juice to taste.
- 4. Transfer to a smaller bowl and garnish with a slice of lemon. Enjoy!
