Best Easy Lemony Orzo With Roasted Vegetables And Feta Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
• Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

ORZO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
• Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
• For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

EASY LEMONY ORZO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Toss the bell peppers, onion, and eggplant with the olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast the vegetables for about 20 minutes, and then toss in the garlic. (Do not add it earlier or it will burn). Roast for about 20 minutes more, or until browned, turning once or twice with a large spatula.
• Meanwhile, cook the orzo in plenty of boiling salted water for about 7 minutes, until tender. Do not over cook. Drain the orzo and transfer to a large serving bowl. When the roasted vegetables are done and while they are still warm, add them to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
• To make the dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. (It makes more than what you will actually need for this recipe)
• Pour some (but not all of the dressing) on the pasta and vegetables. Let everything come to room temperature, then add the toppings: scallions, pine nuts, Greek Feta, and fresh basil. Gently toss everything to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve at room temperature.

LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
• Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.

ONE-PAN ORZO WITH SPINACH AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium, then melt butter, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in about three-quarters of the scallions (saving some of the green parts for garnish) and garlic, and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in spinach, adding in batches if it doesn't all fit in the pan at once, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is nearly cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, 10 to 14 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Stir in cheese, peas (if you like) and dill, cover the pan, and cook for another 1 minute, to finish cooking and warm the peas. To serve, sprinkle with more cheese and the reserved scallions.

ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH FETA AND ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Chop vegetables and place in baking sheet. Peel garlic cloves and add (unchopped) to vegetables. Coat with 4 tablespoons olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Roast vegetables for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender.
• While vegetables are roasting, bring large pot of salted water to boil over high heat and add orzo. Cook for approximately 10 minutes (or according to box directions).
• When vegetables are roasted, remove garlic cloves and set aside.
• Drain orzo and cool down slightly under running water. Put orzo in large bowl and add roasted vegetables.
• In small bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil and vinegar. Add in roasted garlic cloves and mash with a fork. Whisk again to combine. Set aside. You may not need all of the dressing.
• Add diced feta cheese and chopped parsley to orzo and vegetable mixture. (Feta will melt slightly) Toss to combine and add in balsamic vinagrette. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve warm or cold. (I prefer warm!).

SQUASH WITH ORZO & ROASTED GARLIC & FETA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Remove the outer layers of the garlic bulb and slice off the root end, being careful to not cut too deep into the cloves. Put on a small sheet of foil, drizzle with 1 tbsp of the olive oil and sprinkle over a pinch of salt. Scrunch to enclose the garlic in the foil and bake for 45 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to cool still wrapped in the foil.
• Meanwhile, toss the squash with 2 tbsp of the oil, the paprika and some seasoning. Tip onto a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 mins, turning halfway, until the squash is tender and has some colour.
• For the sauce, combine the feta, yogurt, lemon juice and 4 of the roasted garlic cloves (squeezing the flesh out of the skins) to create a smooth paste. It should be thick but pourable - add up to 2 tbsp water to loosen if needed. Set aside.
• Cook the orzo in a pan of salted water over a medium heat for 4-5 mins until it's cooked but still has bite. Drain, reserving a cupful of the orzo water and cool in a sieve under cold running water.
• Cook the leek with 1 tbsp oil and the butter over a medium heat in a large pan, stirring regularly, for 5 mins. Add the preserved lemon and the flesh of 3 roasted garlic cloves, then mash together well. Once the leeks are translucent, tip in the cooked orzo, stock and a splash of the pasta cooking water. Stir for a minute to warm through the orzo. Mix in half of the parsley.
• Spoon the orzo and leeks onto plates, top with the squash and drizzle over the feta sauce. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve.

SHEET-PAN BAKED FETA WITH BROCCOLINI, TOMATOES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees with a rack set in the lower third. On a sheet pan, combine the broccolini, tomatoes, onion and lemon slices with the olive oil and toss. Add cumin and red-pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and toss again until evenly coated. Nestle the feta slices into the vegetables. (It's OK if they break apart a little.)
• Roast 15 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through but leaving the feta in place, until the broccolini is charred at the tips, the stems are easily pierced with a fork and the tomato skins start to blister and break down.
• Serve over orzo or farro. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with the remaining lemon half for squeezing. Top with fresh herbs, if using.