Orzo with Zucchini and Tomato is a quick and easy side dish that goes great with chicken, pork chops, or double the portion and enjoy it as a main dish.
Orzo with Zucchini and Tomato
This healthy orzo recipe would make the perfect side for any protein. You could serve it with chicken, steak, or salmon. It would also be great with grilled chicken or shrimp if you did want to add in some protein to make it a complete meal. Some other easy orzo recipes are Shrimp Scampi with Broccoli Orzo and Broccoli and Orzo.
I whipped up this warm orzo side dish the other night to serve with my air fryer chicken tenders (posting recipe tomorrow!) for a really quick and easy meal. I showed the dish on my Instagram Stories and got so many requests for the recipe, so here it is.
I needed a simple side dish to go with the chicken tenders. This easy orzo recipe was perfect since it didn’t call for many ingredients and cooks quickly. The longest step is cooking the pasta. But once the orzo is done, the rest of the dish comes together in under ten minutes.
This vegetarian orzo recipe is very versatile. You could substitute the zucchini with yellow squash if you prefer. You could also add in other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and bell pepper.
How to Cook Orzo
Orzo is a tiny rice-shaped pasta that you cook in boiling water just like any other pasta. For this recipe, you can use any small shaped pasta you have, such as ditalini or pearl couscous.
Once the orzo is cooked to al dente, save half a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Add oil to the pot after draining the pasta and sauté the garlic and then the zucchini and tomato. Season with salt and pepper and cook a few more minutes. Mix in the orzo and some of the reserved liquid if the pasta is dry. Top with grated cheese and enjoy!
Variations:
- Swap orzo for another small pasta like ditalini or pearl couscous.
- Substitute zucchini for yellow squash or add in other vegetables if you prefer.
- Add in chicken or shrimp for protein to make this orzo side dish a complete meal.
More Easy Side Dishes You’ll Love:
Orzo with Zucchini and Tomato
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Orzo with Zucchini and Tomato is a quick and easy side dish that goes great with chicken, pork chops, or double the portion and enjoy it as a main dish.
- 5 oz uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 large zucchini, 1/4-inch dice (5 ounces total)
- 1 small plum or Campari tomato, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino
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Cook pasta in large pot of salted water as directed for al dente.
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Reserve about 1/2 cup liquid before draining. Drain orzo in a colander and add the oil to the pot.
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Saute garlic 1 minute, until fragrant, add the zucchini and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
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Add the cooked orzo and stir to combine all. Add some of the reserved liquid as needed so pasta isn’t dry.
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Add freshly grated cheese and stir.
Serving: 3/4 cup, Calories: 144kcal, Carbohydrates: 17.5g, Protein: 5.5g, Fat: 5.5g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 119mg, Fiber: 1.5g, Sugar: 1.5g
Blue Smart Points: 3
Green Smart Points: 3
Purple Smart Points: 3
Keywords: easy side dish, Kid Friendly, orzo and zucchini