Pesto Orzo with Peas
Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this Pesto Orzo with Peas, a vibrant twist on pasta night that’s ready in just 25 minutes! This quick and easy recipe combines tender orzo pasta and sweet green peas coated in a luscious, herbaceous pesto sauce, with a hint of tangy lemon juice and a sprinkle of nutty Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy schedules, this one-pot dish minimizes cleanup while delivering maximum flavor. Serve it warm for a comforting meal or enjoy it at room temperature as a versatile side dish at your next gathering. With its fresh basil garnish and simple ingredients, this vegetarian-friendly recipe is a celebration of freshness that’s bound to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 0.5 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the final 2 minutes of the orzo’s cooking time, add the frozen peas to the same pot.
Once the orzo is cooked and the peas are tender, drain them together in a colander and return them to the pot.
Drizzle the olive oil over the hot orzo and peas to keep them from sticking, then stir to combine.
Add the pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the orzo and peas evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.
Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 86.2 g | 111% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 30 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 2222 mg | 97% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 257.4 g | 94% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.5 g | 95% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.7 g | ||
| Protein | 62.1 g | 124% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 516 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 613 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
