Best 10 Zucchini Orzo Recipes

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Zucchini orzo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. Whether you prefer a light and refreshing meal or something more hearty and filling, there is a zucchini orzo recipe out there for you. With its simple ingredients and quick cooking time, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

ZUCCHINI AND GROUND BEEF ORZO CASSEROLE



Zucchini and Ground Beef Orzo Casserole image

Ground beef and zucchini make a great pairing is this surprisingly light casserole. There's enough creamy cheese and orzo pasta to make this taste indulgent, but the zucchini plays a role too, as it has a naturally buttery taste and silky texture, both of which are enhanced by baking. And if the pound of zucchini wasn't enough to meet your veggie quota, there's also a can of tomatoes and an onion, so this dinner is a guaranteed way to get your family to eat some nutritious ingredients! The combination of kitchen staples and easy prep make this a perfect weeknight meal, which can be served up in just over an hour!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta (3 oz)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 lb zucchini squash, cut in half lengthwise, cut in 1/8-inch slices
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lb ground beef (at least 90% lean)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Cook squash, Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in oil 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash has started to soften but is still crisp-tender. Transfer to large bowl; stir together with orzo.
  • In same skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef, onion, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain, and add to bowl with squash. Add crushed tomatoes, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, thyme and pepper flakes; stir to combine. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbling on edges and completely heated through. Top with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; let stand 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize About 1 Cup, Sodium 560 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g

ZUCCHINI ORZO



Zucchini Orzo image

Light and fresh zucchini and squash side dish. Goes great with chicken or steak! With the leftovers, I added grilled chicken and mozzarella and made fajitas. Delicious!

Provided by beautifulansuz

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Summer Squash

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), chopped
1 cup chopped green onion
1 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon dried parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the orzo and lemon juice, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Transfer the orzo to a large saucepan.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the sweet onion and green onion until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes; stir in the zucchini and squash, and cook until the squash are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir the cooked vegetables into the orzo; season with parsley, salt, and black pepper to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 408.3 calories, Carbohydrate 72.4 g, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 13.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 14.3 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

CORN AND ZUCCHINI ORZO SALAD



Corn and Zucchini Orzo Salad image

This summer-fresh big-bath salad of corn and zucchini orzo makes enough salad for two meals. Save 4 cups to use in our Corn, Zucchini, and Pasta Frittata.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 medium zucchini, diced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound orzo
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups corn kernels (from 6 ears corn)
1 small red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 3 lemons)
1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
4 ounces feta, crumbled (2 cups)

Steps:

  • Place zucchini in a colander and toss with salt. Place colander in sink and let sit 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; transfer to a large bowl.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 4 minutes. Add to pasta along with zucchini, 3 tablespoons oil, onion, jalapeno, and lemon zest and juice; season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and feta. Transfer 4 cups salad to an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 2 days and use to make the Corn, Zucchini, and Pasta Frittata.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 3 g

PESTO ORZO WITH ROASTED ZUCCHINI



Pesto Orzo with Roasted Zucchini image

I made up this recipe after finding out the health benefits of orzo. This is really tasty and light at the same time, a great dinner dish that will leave you asking for more--thankfully, it tastes even better for lunch the next day!

Provided by Maristela

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Pesto Pasta Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch slices
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 large Spanish onion, chopped
½ cup pesto sauce
8 cherry tomatoes, halved, or more to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place zucchini in a bowl and season with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until all slices are moistened. Spread on a large baking sheet.
  • Roast zucchini in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip the slices and continue roasting until tender and browned, about 10 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and vegetable bouillon; cook until orzo is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan and cook onion until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in pesto sauce. Cut zucchini rounds into 4 pieces and add to the frying pan. Add cooked orzo, stirring until it absorbs the pesto sauce. Add cherry tomatoes last; stir for about 30 seconds. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 535.6 calories, Carbohydrate 47.9 g, Cholesterol 12.2 mg, Fat 32.8 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 15.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 334.6 mg, Sugar 5.6 g

ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI AND FETA



Orzo with Zucchini and Feta image

"This pasta dish is simple to prepare and never fails to please," reports Andrea Jones of McKinney, Texas. "I double and sometimes triple the recipe when hosting a get-together. You can serve it hot as a side dish or cold as a salad."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons water
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine zucchini and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 minute or until crisp-tender; drain. , Drain orzo; place in a large bowl. Add the zucchini, feta cheese, oil, oregano, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Serve warm or chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 226mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

LEMON ORZO SALAD WITH ZUCCHINI AND FRESH HERBS



Lemon Orzo Salad With Zucchini And Fresh Herbs image

This is one of those quick lunch salads that tastes great. If you are tired of sandwiches, try this different luncheon salad. Serve with pita chips.

Provided by Miss Annie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
2 small zucchini, diced (about 3/4 pound)
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped of fresh mint
1 grated lemon, rind of
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the orzo until tender but firm.
  • Drain in a colander; rinse under cold water to cool, and drain well.
  • Mix the orzo, zucchini, parsley, and mint in a large bowl with a large spoon.
  • Whisk the remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Pour over the salad and mix with a large spoon.

DISAPPEARING ZUCCHINI ORZO



Disappearing Zucchini Orzo image

I believe the "disappearing" part of the title refers largely to making the garden's over abundance of squash disappear. I know there will be those larger zucchinis that slip past my radar so I can't wait to try this one. The recipe is from the Kingsolver book 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' and is typed here as written. I will come back and hard line some of the amounts and with any tweakings I may have done.

Provided by Kitchen Witch Steph

Categories     Vegetable

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 lb orzo pasta
1 onion, chopped
3 large zucchini
olive oil
thyme
oregano
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring 6 cups of chicken stock or salted water to a boil.
  • Add orzo and cook for 8-12 minutes. Drain.
  • Use a cheese grater or mandolin to shred zucchini.
  • Saute zucchini in oil briefly with chopped onion and garlic until lightly golden.
  • Add thyme and oregano to zucchini mixture and stir thoroughly.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Combine with cheese and cooked orzo. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve cool or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 3.7, Sodium 83.3, Carbohydrate 50, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 4.6, Protein 11.2

ORZO AND ZUCCHINI SALAD



Orzo and Zucchini Salad image

This fresh-tasting, make-ahead side dish was created with casual outdoor dining in mind. Best at room temperature.

Provided by CALISPICEGIRL

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Zucchini Salad Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup orzo
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 zucchinis, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
coarse salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ cup torn fresh basil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, or to taste
1 clove garlic, chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and spread onto a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir zucchini and garlic in the hot oil until slightly tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Mix orzo, zucchini mixture, basil, vinegar, and remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate to blend flavors, 1 hour to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.8 calories, Carbohydrate 39.6 g, Fat 5.6 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 9.2 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

BASIL ZUCCHINI ORZO SALAD



Basil Zucchini Orzo Salad image

Make and share this Basil Zucchini Orzo Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Julesong

Categories     Cheese

Time 20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 medium zucchini, coarsely grated
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano or 1 pinch dried oregano
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1/4 lb dry orzo pasta
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup asiago cheese or 1/4 cup mizithra cheese, grated freshly
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Sprinkle zucchini with salt in a colander and toss (this allows the zucchini to"sweat" out excess water); let stand for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, then remove and gently squeeze liquid from zucchini.
  • In a food processor whir together the basil leaves, oil, garlic, and oregano until well incorporated.
  • Place mixture in a large bowl and stir together with the zucchini and set aside.
  • In a large pot over high heat, bring the chicken broth to a boil; add orzo and reduce the heat to medium, cooking until orzo is just tender, about 10-12 minutes; drain the pasta well.
  • Stir the pasta into the zucchini mixture, then add the lemon juice, grated cheese, and fresh parsley.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Chill for at least an hour before serving as a salad, or serve warm at room temperature as a dinner side dish.
  • Makes about 8 servings.

BAKED ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI



Baked Orzo With Zucchini image

From Vegetarian Times-September 2002. This simple dish comes together in minutes and calls for a light soup or tossed green salad and hot Italian bread with olive oil for dunking. It also makes a great buffet party dish, as it can feed a group when served with other fare.

Provided by Dominick and Amanda

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups orzo
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 large leek, thinly sliced
2 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup chunky marinara sauce
salt, to taste
black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
italian seasoning, to taste
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F Lightly oil heatproof baking dish.
  • Heat water in covered saucepan. When at a rapid boil, cook orzo until almost tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic, leeks and zucchini slices for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Drain orzo and place in baking dish. Stir in marinara sauce, salt and pepper and spice mix. Top with half the cheese.
  • Arrange zucchini and leek slices on top of orzo, and top with remaining mozzarella.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until mozzarella melts. During last 5 minutes, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

  • Selecting the Right Zucchini: Choose firm and tender zucchini with a deep green color and no blemishes. Smaller zucchini are typically more flavorful and have fewer seeds.
  • Cooking Orzo: Orzo is a small pasta that cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Cook according to the package instructions and drain well.
  • Pre-Cooked Orzo: If you're short on time, you can use pre-cooked orzo. Simply reheat it according to the package instructions before adding it to the salad.
  • Zucchini Cooking Methods: Zucchini can be cooked in various ways, including sautéing, grilling, roasting, or spiralizing. Choose the cooking method that best suits your recipe.
  • Adding Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the salad, such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or cucumbers. Experiment with different combinations to create a colorful and flavorful salad.
  • Herbs and Spices: Enhance the flavor of the salad with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or garlic powder for a spicy kick.
  • Dressing: Use a simple dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. You can also add a spoonful of Dijon mustard for a tangy twist.

Conclusion:

Zucchini orzo salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or even as a main course. With its vibrant colors, delicious flavors, and ease of preparation, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to create your unique variation of this classic recipe. Enjoy the fresh taste of zucchini and the wholesome goodness of orzo in this delightful salad!

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