One-Pot Lemon Herb Orzo (Printable)

Zesty orzo with chickpeas, fresh spring vegetables, and bright lemon herb flavors in one pot.

# Components:

→ Pasta & Legumes

01 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ 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 baby spinach, packed
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids & Fats

09 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

→ Herbs & Seasoning

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic, zucchini, asparagus, and sugar snap peas. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just starting to soften.
03 - Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute to lightly toast.
04 - Add chickpeas, vegetable broth, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until spinach is wilted.
07 - Remove from heat. Add parsley and dill, toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Serve warm, garnished with extra herbs and lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It lives up to its name: truly everything cooks in one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum time to actually enjoy your meal.
  • The lemon cuts through richness in a way that makes you feel like you're eating something both comforting and impossibly fresh.
  • Budget-friendly enough for a regular Tuesday, but impressive enough that nobody needs to know how simple it actually was.
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat, so if your dish seems a touch brothier than you'd like at the end, that's actually perfect; it will set up as it cools slightly.
  • Fresh lemon zest scattered on top right before serving makes an enormous difference in how bright and alive the dish tastes compared to stirring it all in early.
03 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step for the dry orzo; that one minute of attention makes the difference between a dish that tastes flat and one that tastes genuinely delicious.
  • Taste the broth before you add it to the pot if possible; some broths are saltier than others, and this awareness helps you nail the seasoning rather than oversalting by accident.
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