Description
Hearty lemon orzo soup brings Mediterranean warmth to comfort seekers with its zesty broth and tender pasta. Delicate herbs and bright vegetables create a soul-soothing experience you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 cup (240 ml) orzo pasta
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley or dill (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, gently sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture and continue cooking for an additional 30-45 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence without browning.
- Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot, increasing heat to high and bringing the liquid to a rolling boil.
- Carefully add orzo pasta to the bubbling broth, reducing heat to medium and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, cooking for 8-10 minutes until pasta reaches a perfectly tender al dente texture.
- Remove pot from heat and immediately incorporate freshly squeezed lemon juice and delicate lemon zest, creating a bright, citrusy undertone throughout the soup.
- Season the soup with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed for balanced flavor.
- Ladle the warm soup into serving bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or dill for an elegant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Boost flavor depth by using homemade chicken or vegetable broth instead of store-bought varieties.
- Prevent orzo from becoming mushy by cooking it separately and adding to the soup just before serving, maintaining perfect al dente texture.
- Enhance protein content by stirring in shredded rotisserie chicken or adding white beans for a vegetarian twist.
- Customize the soup’s consistency by adjusting broth quantity – add more for a lighter soup or reduce for a heartier version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg