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Katie Serbinski, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and millennial mom, blogging about healthy recipes, child and mom nutrition, and motherhood.

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Home » Food & Recipes » Main Dishes » Lemon Orzo with Asparagus

Lemon Orzo with Asparagus

Mar 20, 2015 13 Comments

The freshness of lemon and in-season asparagus make this lemon orzo with asparagus the perfect side dish for spring or summer! 

The freshness of lemon and in-season asparagus make this lemon orzo with asparagus the perfect side dish for spring or summer!

Lemon orzo with asparagus encompasses everything I love about the spring season. The brightness of the lemon zest and the crunch of the asparagus scream freshness, sunshine, and singing in the rain. Anyone else jump through puddles come March and April? Plus, this recipe is toddler friendly— even though I cringe when I find a few orzo scattered under my dining room table. 

The freshness of lemon and in-season asparagus make this lemon orzo with asparagus the perfect side dish for spring or summer!

50 degree temps, birds chirping at dawn, walks and runs outside, and my favorite green vegetable, asparagus, means one thing: winter is OVER. I hope I didn’t just jinx myself fellow Michiganders….

My guys + the sun = a sure sign spring is here!
A sign you are going crazy from a long winter: you play “throw the shape” aka “shape-pong” into plastic cups.
“Let’s go let’s go let’s go Mom!!!” Someone else is excited that the driveway is no longer packed with snow.

Make a Meal of Lemon Orzo with Asparagus

The freshness of lemon and in-season asparagus make this lemon orzo with asparagus the perfect side dish for spring or summer!

Light, lemony and fresh, lemon orzo with asparagus screams healthy (and spring). It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or spring BBQ because it can be kept at room temperature. Add chicken or steak slices and you’ve got a complete meal. The orzo soaks up the lemon dressing, so the longer it sits the better it tastes! Feel free to swap out the asparagus for any other vegetable in season. Trust me- you’ll love this!

Lemon Orzo with Asparagus
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
35 mins
 
Author: Katie Serbinski
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • Dressing:
  • 2 lemons, juiced and zested
  • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • ½ cup of olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • Orzo Salad:
  • 1 bunch of asparagus (about a pound), cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 4 cups of water
  • 2 cups of chicken broth
  • 2 cups of orzo pasta
  • ½ cup of green onion, sliced (whites and greens)
  • 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions
  1. To make the dressing, whisk together all of the ingredients. Set aside.
  2. Combine the water and chicken stock in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  3. Add the asparagus to the pot. Continue cooking the asparagus and orzo for another 5 minutes. Drain, but do not rinse.
  4. Add warm orzo + asparagus to a heat resistant bowl. Add green onions and lemon dressing (mix again if needed). Garnish with lemon slices.
  5. Serve immediately or let rest at room temperature until you're ready to eat!
3.4.3177

Do you “think spring” with lemon and asparagus like I do?!

The freshness of lemon and in-season asparagus make this lemon orzo with asparagus the perfect side dish for spring or summer!

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Comments

  1. Deanna Segrave-Daly says

    March 20, 2015 at 8:13 am

    Yum – thinking of spring as it’s snowing here in Philly – will it ever end??

    Reply
  2. Min says

    March 20, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Absolutely! Lemon + arugula = a match made in heaven!! Love the simplicity of this recipe, Katie. The two ingredients truly are the stars of the dish ;). Aww love the picture of your husband and your son walking hand in hand!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend

    Reply
  3. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:14 am

    That pic if shape pong made me laugh out loud! Totally with you on being stir crazy from this long winter – and we’re getting more snow today. Ugh! Love the combo of asparagus and lemon – can’t wait for asparagus season to be in full force!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      March 24, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      Lol!!! I was hoping no one would think I’m brainwashing my child… And oddly enough he loves the green solo cups vs. any toy right now! Go figure 😉

  4. Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals) says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:16 am

    This looks delicious! I bet the lemon flavor is wonderful.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      March 24, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      It’s so subtle but just enough!!

  5. Kristen Chang says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Super yum! Yes, I definitely associate spring with lemon and asparagus… and other fun fruits & veggies. I can’t wait to whip this up… looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      March 24, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks Kristen! Hope the snow missed you this weekend…

Trackbacks

  1. Spring Produce Guide {What’s in Season?} | The Grateful Grazer says:
    April 7, 2015 at 11:02 am

    […] Lemon Orzo with Asparagus from Katie at Mom to Mom Nutrition (substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth for vegan option) […]

    Reply
  2. Lemony Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    April 20, 2017 at 7:53 am

    […] feast. While there’s nothing SO new about asparagus as a side dish in my house [family favorite: lemon orzo with asparagus], I’m taking one of our favorite green veggies to the next level with this lemony […]

    Reply
  3. Orzo Salad with Bell Peppers and Garlic Dressing - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    June 29, 2017 at 1:37 am

    […] but I always seem to have an orzo salad on my menu. While it’s almost always my Mom’s famous lemon orzo with asparagus salad, I’ve recently changed-up our pasta salad game with this simple orzo salad with bell […]

    Reply
  4. Lemon Orzo Chicken Bake - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    March 14, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    […] of my most popular recipes on the blog are Lemon Orzo with Asparagus and Citrus Roasted Chicken. So, when my right brain started talking to my left brain, I decided to […]

    Reply
  5. Mother's Day in Rehab - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    May 15, 2019 at 8:59 am

    […] and of course, my family. I know no one wished this to happen in my life, but I’m making lemon orzo and asparagus salad out of lemons and kicking the shit out of alcohol. One. Day. At. A. […]

    Reply

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Katie Serbinski at Mom to Mom Nutrition

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Hi, I’m Katie! Registered Dietitian, Mom, and Mealtime Negotiator. I’m on a mission to make mealtime happier, healthier, and easier with small children, despite what my 4 picky eaters have me believing. From family-friendly recipes to confessions about my unfiltered motherhood moments, I hope you grab a seat at my kitchen table!
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