Hearty Mediterranean Lemon Orzo
This Mediterranean-inspired orzo dish is light yet hearty, with tender pasta, roasted or sautéed vegetables, olives, and a refreshing lemon-herb dressing. Perfect as a main vegetarian meal or a side for grilled chicken, fish, or falafel.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Serves: 3–4
Ingredients
For the Orzo and Veggies:
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups vegetable broth or water
1 small zucchini, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small carrot, diced
1 small red onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
For the Lemon-Herb Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp honey or maple syrup
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Orzo
In a saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil.
Add orzo and cook 8–10 minutes until tender. Drain excess liquid if necessary and set aside.
2. Cook the Vegetables
While orzo cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion, carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper.
Saute for 8–10 minutes, until vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
3. Make the Lemon-Herb Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, honey (if using), salt, and pepper.
4. Combine Orzo and Veggies
Add cooked orzo to the skillet with vegetables.
Stir in olives, feta (if using), and parsley.
Pour dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
5. Serve
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Garnish with extra parsley and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Notes & Tips
Add roasted chickpeas or grilled chicken for extra protein.
Swap vegetables with your favorites — eggplant, cherry tomatoes, or spinach work well.
Can be served cold as a Mediterranean pasta salad for meal prep.
For extra zest, sprinkle a little sumac on top before serving.
Serving Ideas
Serve alongside grilled fish or Mediterranean chicken.
Pair with pita bread and hummus for a full Mediterranean meal.
Great as a meal prep dish — holds up well in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~320 kcal
Protein: 8g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 5g