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Creamy Courgette, Lemon and Parmesan Orzo

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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: courgette orzo, creamy orzo recipe, vegetarian orzo
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 353kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium yellow courgette diced
  • 1 medium green courgette diced
  • 250 g orzo
  • 700 ml vegetable stock
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 40 g Parmesan finely grated
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil or parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring so it doesn't burn.
  • Add the diced yellow and green courgettes to the pan.
  • Cook for around 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the courgettes have softened and started to colour slightly.
  • Add the orzo and vegetable stock and stir everything together.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for around 10–12 minutes, stirring regularly. The orzo will absorb the stock as it cooks and become lovely and creamy.
  • If it starts looking too thick before the orzo is cooked, simply add a splash more stock or water.
  • Once the orzo is tender, stir through the lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan and cream cheese.
  • Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and add salt if needed.
  • Spoon the creamy courgette orzo into bowls and finish with fresh basil or parsley and a little extra Parmesan. I also love adding a final squeeze of lemon and some zest over the top.

Notes

Storage
Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the hob, adding a splash of water or vegetable stock to loosen the orzo.
Freezing
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, as the creamy texture of the orzo can change when frozen and reheated. I recommend making a fresh batch rather than freezing leftovers.

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 14.3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4.5g | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 5.8g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 2.5mg