Tasty Roasted Vegetable Orzo (Printable)
Tender roasted vegetables with orzo, herbs, and feta in a Mediterranean-inspired bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Orzo
10 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
11 - 4 cups vegetable broth or water
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Finishing Touches
14 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Spread vegetables on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
04 - Bring vegetable broth or water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add orzo and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook according to package instructions (about 8–10 minutes), stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, then toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
05 - In a large serving bowl, combine roasted vegetables and cooked orzo. Add feta, basil, parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with extra herbs if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The roasting process draws out natural sweetness in vegetables you might normally overlook
- It comes together faster than most pasta dishes but tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking
02 -
- Overcrowding the baking sheet will steam the vegetables instead of roasting them
- Orzo continues absorbing liquid even after draining, so don't wait too long to combine it with the vegetables
03 -
- Let vegetables cool for just 5 minutes before tossing with hot orzo, so everything melds without wilting the fresh herbs
- Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking water in case the dish seems dry when combined