This Orzo with Feta & Asparagus recipe is a perfect fast weeknight dinner. If you loved the TikTok viral baked feta pasta try this green vegetable version! Creamy feta cheese is baked with tender asparagus then mixed with orzo, dill and lemon for a citrus burst of zesty freshness.
This flavor packed lemony orzo with asparagus and peas is the perfect summer meal. Hands on prep time is minimal and the entire dish can be cooked from scratch in just 30 minutes.
I got this idea from amazing UK supermarket Aldi, and have adapted it with my own changes.
Start by roasting the feta and asparagus in the oven, then all you need to do is cook some peas and orzo pasta before assembling the dish just before serving.
Feta orzo has become a go-to recipe over the spring and summer months, and can be enjoyed warm from the oven or cold in a summer pasta salad.
Why You'll Love Orzo with Feta & Asparagus
- The entire dish can be prepared, cooked, and on the table in 30 minutes.
- It's a really pretty plate of food which makes it an ideal dish when entertaining family and friends for dinner.
- Double or treble this great recipe and it's a delicious meal for feeding a crowd.
- Make a vegan version of this dish by swapping regular feta cheese for vegan feta cheese.
- Try some of my favorite vegetable based pasta recipes:
Feta Orzo Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Asparagus - I use a bunch of fresh asparagus and remove the tough woody ends.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I try to good olive oil here since the ingredients are simple and need to shine through.
Feta - I use an 8 oz block of tangy feta cheese.
Orzo - I've made this recipe using tender orzo pasta as it cooks quickly. You can substitute with any type of pasta you like. You could also substitute orzo pasta for rice.
Peas - unless you are lucky enough to have peas growing in your garden, I recommend using frozen peas as they have the best flavor.
How to Make Orzo with Feta & Asparagus - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe below.
Place the trimmed asparagus into an oven safe baking dish, drizzle over the olive oil, season well and toss until well combined.
Place the feta block and lemon slices in the middle of the asparagus. Flip the cheese over to make sure it's coated in oil.
Roast in the oven for around 15-20 minutes - until the feta is melty and the asparagus is tender but still al dente.
While the feta and asparagus are roasting, cook the orzo in a large pot of salted water according to packet instructions. Add the frozen peas to the boiling pasta for the last minute of cooking. Drain the pasta and peas.
Remove the feta and asparagus from the oven. Add the cooked pasta, peas and fresh lemon juice to the baking tray.
Season again with salt and pepper and stir gently to combine the fresh flavors. Scatter with dill and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orzo made from?
Orzo is a short cut pasta shape made from durum wheat flour just like other dried pasta shapes.
How do you cook orzo?
Orzo should be cooked in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, the same as you would any other pasta shape.
However, orzo pasta is cut small, similar to the size of a grain of rice, so cut back on the cooking time. Cook for 7-10 minutes depending on how soft you like your pasta.
What is a good substitute for orzo?
You can substitute orzo for any other shape of pasta, but I'd recommend swapping it for another small cut pasta. Jasmine rice or long grain wild rice is also an easy substitute for orzo.
Do you need to rinse orzo before cooking?
No, there is no need to rinse orzo pasta before cooking - it's pasta, not rice.
How do you stop orzo from going mushy?
As with any pasta, the trick to stopping orzo from going mushy is to cook it to al-dente. Any longer and you will loose the bite of the pasta.
What is special about orzo?
Orzo is a versatile pasta, you can use it as you would regular pasta, but it works particularly well in soups and stews. Try it in my Vegetable Orzo Soup.
How do you make this dish gluten free?
To make this dish gluten free swap the orzo for gluten free orzo pasta, or any other gluten free pasta. Lentil pasta, chickpea pasta or quinoa pasta are great alternatives. You can also use long grain or jasmine rice as a substitute.
Variations & Substitutions for Orzo with Asparagus
Fresh tomatoes are a great addition to this recipe, try adding some fresh cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or stir through some sun-dried tomatoes.
You can also add in other veggies like crunchy english cucumber, red peppers or some artichoke hearts.
A handful of Kalamata olives are a delicious addition. Briny olives would add nicely to the savory flavor.
Finish the sauce with fresh herbs, I've used fresh dill but fresh basil, fresh mint, tarragon and parsley would work well in this dish too.
I've served lemony orzo with asparagus hot from the oven, but it's just as good cold. Enjoy it as a veggie packed pasta salad the next day.
Tips & Tricks For Making Orzo with Feta & Asparagus
- Simple dishes benefit from a good quality olive oil, it will have a lovely nutty flavor.
- For best results take time to properly season the pasta with salt and a good crack of black pepper. It makes all the difference to the finished dish.
- This recipe is easily doubled up if feeding a crowd. However, use 2 sheet pans and spread the ingredients out, that will allow everything to roast, rather than steam in the oven.
How To Serve Lemon Orzo with Asparagus
I like to serve pasta with a side of crusty bread, some warm focaccia, or garlic bread which the kids love.
If you want to add some extra veggie sides, then a vibrant green salad or my Easy Buttered Kale, Green Beans, or Charred Broccolini work perfectly.
This packs up well in a tupperware container for summer picnics.
It also makes a perfect side dish if you're grilling or roasting meat.
How To Reheat Lemony Orzo with Asparagus?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also serve this dish cold next time as a veggie-packed pasta salad recipe.
However, if you want to heat it up, I recommend placing back into a hot oven to warm through.
How to Freeze Peas and Orzo?
I don't recommend freezing this dish, it's best served fresh from the oven.
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More Easy Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Orzo with Feta & Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 bunch Asparagus - tough woody ends trimmed
- 8 oz Feta Cheese - 8oz = 1 Block
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- 1 Lemon - half juiced, half sliced
- 10 oz Orzo - or any pasta of your choice
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Dill - chopped, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC.
- Place the trimmed asparagus into a 9x13 inch (22x33 cm) oven safe baking dish.
- Drizzle over the olive oil, sea salt and pepper and toss until well combined.
- Place the feta block and lemon slices in the middle of the asparagus. Flip it over to make sure it's coated in oil.
- Roast in the oven for around 15-20 minutes - until the feta is melty and the asparagus is tender.
- While the feta and asparagus are roasting, cook the orzo according to packet instructions.
- Add the frozen peas to the boiling pasta for the last minute of cooking. Drain the pasta and peas.
- Remove the feta and asparagus from the oven.
- Add the orzo, peas and lemon juice to the baking tray.
- Season again with salt and pepper and stir gently to combine.
- Scatter with dill and serve immediately.
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