Garlicky Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

I was roasting a chicken for dinner and wanted a nice, healthy side dish to serve with it. I looked through my pantry and refrigerator to see what I had on hand. I found some orzo, garlic, yellow squash, asparagus, red onion, orange bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes, so I made this garlicky orzo with roasted vegetables recipe. This easy orzo side dish was light, healthy, filling, and flavorful, and it paired nicely with the roasted chicken, garlic roasted tomatoes, and a simple butter lettuce salad.

Garlicky Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsp olive oil, to taste
• 10 spears of asparagus, woody ends discarded, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 baby orange bell pepper, diced
• ¼ red onion, diced
• Handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup of dry orzo cooked, according to package instructions, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Dash of crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• Fresh lemon juice, to taste, and extra wedges for serving

How to Make Garlicky Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, then coat it with olive oil cooking spray.

Toss the vegetables on the baking sheet, spreading them out in an even layer. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Place in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven.

While the veggies are roasting, prepare the orzo in a large saucepan in well-salted water according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.

Place the pot you cooked the orzo in back on the stove over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes, then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Add the orzo and roasted veggies along with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, and some reserved cooking water if needed. Add fresh lemon juice to taste, and mix until well combined. Taste and re-season if needed.

Serve with fresh lemon wedges. Enjoy.