Lemon Pepper Orzo | Only 5 Ingredients!
This Lemon Pepper Orzo is a creamy, tangy, one-pot side that’s delicious with practically everything! Vegan, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free Option.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter (or olive oil)
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces (225 g) orzo (gf if necessary)
- 2 1/2 cups (590 ml) water
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (9 g) finely grated vegan parmesan cheese* (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Aromatics: melt the butter in a small sauce pan or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and black pepper and sauté for 60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant. Add the dry orzo to the pan and toast for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Boil: add the water, lemon juice (save the zest for step 3!), and salt to the pan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-13 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final Add-Ins: Turn the heat to low (or off) and stir in the lemon zest and parmesan, if using. Season with additional salt to pepper, to taste.
- Serve: serve warm, sprinkled with parsley, or as desired. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days; reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water (preferred).
Notes
- If you’d like a cheesy flavor but don’t want to use vegan parm, add 1-2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast along with the other ingredients in step 2 for a dairy-free, cheesy kick!
- Extra Veggies: if you want to up the veggies, stir in a couple of handfuls of spinach or up to 1 cup of peas into the orzo towards the end of cooking!
Keywords: lemon orzo, lemon pepper orzo
Find it online: https://frommybowl.com/lemon-pepper-orzo/
