Photo of Orzo with lemon, asparagus, and peas by WW

Orzo with lemon, asparagus, and peas

6
Points® value
Total Time
28 min
Prep
18 min
Cook
10 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy
This pasta dish highlights some of spring’s finest ingredients, from peas to scallions and asparagus. Asparagus vary in thickness; if the ones you’re using are thick, just slice them in half lengthwise. Not a dill fan? Simply omit it or use chopped parsley or chives instead. After the orzo cooks, the vegetables, cheese, herbs, and lemon juice and zest all come together in one large skillet. With this beautiful dinner ready in less than half an hour, it'll become a weeknight go-to favourite for all your family members and friends.

Ingredients

Table salt

1 pinch(es), for cooking pasta

Uncooked orzo

1½ cup(s)

Unsalted butter

2 tbsp(s), divided

Onion

1 small, chopped

Asparagus

2 cup(s), sliced into bite-size pieces

Frozen green peas

1 cup(s)

Crumbled feta cheese

½ cup(s)

Uncooked scallions

4 medium, chopped

Fresh dill

3 tbsp(s), fresh, chopped

Lemon zest

2 tsp(s), grated

Fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp(s), or more to taste

Table salt

¼ tsp(s), or to taste

Black pepper

¼ tsp(s), freshly ground, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring salted water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add orzo and cook as package directs.
  2. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in asparagus; cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add peas and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are lightly browned and tender, about 3 minutes.
  4. Drain orzo and add to skillet. Remove from heat and toss with vegetables, making sure to scrape food on bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon.
  5. Stir in feta, scallions, remaining tablespoon butter, dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  6. Yields about 1 cup per serving.