One Pot Lemon Orzo pasta - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

Lemon Orzo pasta is a bright, beautiful pasta dish that’s ideal for celebrating the spring and summer seasons! Perfectly cooked tender orzo is all dressed up with fresh lemon juice, garlic, parmesan, and just the right amount of heavy cream to really send it over the top.

Enjoy more bright and zesty lemon flavor with recipes like Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Breast and some classic Lemonade!

Lemon orzo is so creamy, zesty, fresh and easy to make!

I think my favorite thing about this recipe is that it’s equal parts fresh (thanks to the lemon juice) and comforting (thanks to the pasta). It’s the best of both worlds!

As we all transition from the colder winter months and into spring, it’s so great to have trusty recipes like this to turn to. It’s cozy without weighing you down and offers the perfect amount of bright citrus flavor.

What really ties it all together so beautifully is the heavy cream and parmesan. The end result is cheesy, creamy, tender orzo that’s pretty addictive. It’s hard to have just one serving of it!

Why we love this Lemon Orzo pasta:

• One Pot: Those two magical words means that this dish is easy to make and even easier to clean.
• Freshly Flavored: Thanks to the freshly squeezed lemon juice in the mix, this orzo is loaded with summery fresh flavor.
• So Quick: Yes, this orzo comes together in LESS than 30 minutes! It’s such a quick dinner recipe.
• Simple Ingredients: Take a quick peek at the ingredients pictured below to see how wonderfully short your shopping list will be.

Lemon Orzo Ingredients:

• Broth – Chicken or vegetable broth both work just fine. I recommend using low-sodium broth either way, that way you can control the amount of salt in the dish.
• Orzo – In a pinch, you could use another small shaped pasta here. Ditalini and alphabet would be fun to swap!
• Cream – Heavy cream (my favorite) offers a thicker consistency and richer flavor. You can use half and half but your sauce will be notably thinner.
• Parmesan – Grated fresh off the block is best for both consistency and flavor.
• Butter – Salted butter adds a nice flavor, but you can use unsalted butter if preferred.
• Garlic – You can add more garlic if you’d like! Garlic is always one of those ingredients you can measure with your heart.
• Lemon – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is really the way to go for the very best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper – While you can always add more than I do, I recommend doing a little taste test before you sprinkle in any more.
• Parsley – A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a vibrant pop of color and herbaceous flavor.

How to make Lemon Orzo pasta:

This lemon orzo recipe is so easy to make in one pot! Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Melt the butter over medium-high heat. Then, add the orzo and toast it for just 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and stir often. Cook until liquid is absorbed and pasta is tender.

• Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
• Squeeze in your fresh lemon juice to taste.

Variations and Substitutions

• Change the pasta: Yes, “orzo” is literally in the title of the dish. But you can feel free to swap it with something like ditalini if you’d like!
• Omit the cream: If you’re lactose intolerant or just not too crazy about creamy pasta, you can omit the cream and splash in a little bit more broth to compensate.
• Make it more lemony: Craving more of that summer flavor? Garnish your dish with some fresh lemon zest!

How to store Lemon Orzo

You can store leftover lemon orzo in the fridge for up to 4 days, just make sure it’s in an airtight container so it stays fresh.

Reheat it in the microwave or right back on your stovetop. When it comes time to reheat, add a splash of broth or cream to help add some moisture back into it.

Can I freeze lemon orzo?

Yes! Let the lemon orzo fully cool to room temperature prior to storing it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Do note that one pasta is thawed and reheated from frozen, it will be softer.

Serving suggestions:

Plate this lemon orzo with any of these fresh veggie side dishes:

• Cheesy Baked Asparagus
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Broccoli

Or add a simple Baked Chicken Breast, Slow Cooker Chicken Breast or one of the 15 Best Pork Tenderloin Recipes for added protein.

More Orzo Recipes You’ll Love

Orzo is one of my favorite pastas! Here are a few more of my very best orzo recipes:

• Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Orzo — a cozy, meatless meal!
• One Pan Tuscan Orzo with Chicken — a hearty, meal-in-one.
• Garlic Parmesan Orzo — goes with everything!
• One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo — we can never get enough meatballs.