This Lemon Orzo recipe is the perfect pairing for your next main course.  Whether you’re serving chicken, steak, or seafood, this simple side dish will make your full meal that much more interesting and tasty.  Hot tip… we love this easy side with our roasted leg of lamb.  No matter what you chose to serve it with, get this one on the dinner table ASAP!

The Best Lemon Orzo

There are a lot of pasta dishes out there, but this one is honestly one of our favorites due to its simplicity, classic flavors, and the fact that the whole family gobbles it down.  Simple ingredients of bright lemon juice and nutty parmesan cheese make the perfect combination of fresh flavor to be enjoyed all year long.  

What You Will Need

• water – A simple base to cook most pastas.
• chicken broth – Adds a bit more flavor than just using water. Chicken stock will work, but note that it won’t have the same amount of seasonings as broth.
• orzo – A fun little rice-shaped pasta that can be used in soups, pasta salads, and stand alone like in this recipe.
• butter – Helps to add creaminess.
• kosher salt – A little goes a long way to add so much flavor. 
• lemon zest & juice – Adds brightness and just a touch of citrus.
• pasta water – Helps to thin out the cheesy pasta and creates a silky consistency.
• parmesan cheese – Adds a delicious nutty flavor plus an undeniable creaminess. 
• fresh parsley – An optional topping to add another bit of freshness.  Feel free to experiment with your favorite type of fresh herbs.

How To Make Lemon Orzo

Start by gathering and measuring your ingredients. There’s nothing worse than having to make a last minute run to the grocery store once you’ve started. We’ve been there.

Next, add your chicken broth and water to a medium saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil.  Then add in your orzo and let it simmer, uncovered for 8-10 minutes or cooked until al dente. Before you drain your pasta, scoop out a half cup or so of pasta water to be used later in this recipe.  Then use a colander to drain the remaining water from the pasta.  Once drained, place the cooked orzo back into the sauce pan and remove it from the heat.

Then add in the butter, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice and parmesan cheese and gently stir to combine. Be sure to get all the way down to the bottom of the pan while mixing to ensure all the orzo gets coated in these yummy flavors. Note that it will take the cheese a minute or two to fully melt.  Use splashes of your reserved pasta water to thin out the consistency and to make your cheesy pasta even creamier.

The final step is to taste test and serve! Give it a few tastes and adjust the amount of salt and lemon juice as needed.  Then serve this great side dish in a small bowl with a sprinkling of chopped parsley and enjoy!  

What To Serve With Lemon Orzo

Lemon orzo can make a great easy dinner or light lunch served on its own or as a side dish to compliment your favorite main course! If you’re looking for some added protein, keep things simple and cook up some grilled chicken breast.  If you’re serving a crowd, this dish pairs perfectly with our roasted leg of lamb.  The two are the perfect combination of flavors.

Recipe FAQs

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