How to Make the Perfect Rainbow Veggie Orzo
Mediterranean · Easy · 25 min · 4 servings
Tiny rice shaped orzo pasta is tossed with a colorful medley of sweet corn, peas, and diced red pepper in a light buttery sauce. The bright colors and fun pasta shape make this dish incredibly appealing to young children.
Why this recipe works
This Rainbow Veggie Orzo recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 320 calories with 11g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g orzo pasta
- 150 g frozen peas
- 150 g sweet corn kernels
- 1 whole red bell pepper finely diced
- 30 g butter
- 60 g parmesan cheese grated
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Orzo
Cook orzo in a pot of well salted boiling water for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add frozen peas and corn in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Step 2: Saute the Pepper
While orzo cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the diced red bell pepper for 4 minutes until softened and lightly sweet.
Step 3: Combine Everything
Drain the orzo and vegetables and add them directly to the skillet with the softened pepper. Toss everything together with the remaining butter and season with salt.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Serve
Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese until melted and the orzo is glossy and well coated. Serve warm in bowls with extra parmesan on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- orzo → small shell pasta or ditalini
- red bell pepper → yellow bell pepper or frozen edamame
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not stirring the orzo while it cooks which causes the pieces to clump together in the pot
- Draining all the pasta water before adding to the skillet which makes the dish dry
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 320 calories, 11g protein, 52g carbs, 9g fat, 5g fiber.
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