Description

Creamy Lemon Orzo with Fresh Courgette is a comforting and zesty pasta dish featuring tender orzo cooked in vegetable broth, then combined with fresh diced courgette and a luscious blend of heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Garnished with fresh parsley, this vibrant and easy-to-make meal balances creamy richness with bright citrus notes, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup Dry Orzo Pasta
to taste Salt
to taste Black Pepper

Fresh Produce

1 medium Courgette, diced
1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
¼ cup Chopped Fresh Parsley

Liquids & Broths

2 cups Low-sodium Vegetable Broth
½ cup Heavy Cream

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients. Gather all your ingredients on the kitchen counter to ensure a smooth cooking process.
Simmer Broth. Bring a medium-sized pot of vegetable broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Cook Orzo. Add the dry orzo to the simmering broth and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes as per package instructions.
Dice Courgette. While the orzo cooks, wash and dice the courgette into small, evenly sized pieces for even cooking and fresh texture.
Drain Orzo. Once the orzo is cooked, reserve about ½ cup of the cooking broth and drain the rest. Return the drained orzo back to the pot over low heat.
Add Courgette. Stir in the diced courgette, mixing well to combine the fresh vegetable with the pasta.
Add Cream and Broth. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to incorporate. Gradually add the reserved broth a little at a time until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
Incorporate Lemon. Add the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, stirring thoroughly to blend the bright citrus flavors throughout the dish.
Season. Taste and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference, enhancing all the flavors.
Garnish and Serve. Remove the pot from heat and mix in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Reserve some of the cooking broth to adjust the creaminess of the orzo to your liking.
The courgette adds a fresh crunch; dice uniformly for even cooking.
You can substitute heavy cream with a lighter cream or coconut cream for a different flavor profile.
Serve immediately as the dish tastes best fresh; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently.
For a vegan version, replace heavy cream with a plant-based cream and ensure vegetable broth is vegan.