Lemon Asparagus Orzo with Chickpeas

Overhead of bowls of lemon orzo with asparagus and chickpeas with a blue napkin

5 from 4 votes

Lemon Asparagus Orzo with Chickpeas

This lemon asparagus orzo with chickpeas is a simple vegan pasta dish made with tender asparagus, canned chickpeas, olive oil, and fresh lemon. It comes together in about 30 minutes for an easy spring lunch or dinner.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: Fusion, Italian, Mediterranean

Special diet: gluten-free option, nut-free, soy-free, vegan

Servings:

Calories: 427kcal

Author: Amy Katz

Ingredients

1 pound asparagus
12 ounces orzo (gluten-free, if necessary)
1-15 ounce can chickpeas (1½ cups) rinsed and drained
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons lemon juice* from 1 lemon
1 Tablespoon lemon zest from 1 lemon
lemon wedges for serving (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, prep the asparagus by breaking off the tough ends and slicing the spears into bite-size pieces.
1 pound asparagus
Cook the orzo according to the package directions.
12 ounces orzo
When the orzo is almost cooked but needs a few more minutes, add the asparagus to the pot. Allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until the asparagus is tender and bright green, and the pasta is cooked al dente.
Drain the orzo and asparagus in a colander, but do not rinse. Return the orzo and asparagus to the pot.
Add the chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the orzo and asparagus and fold to combine. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
1-15 ounce can chickpeas, 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 Tablespoons lemon juice*, 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
Serve with lemon wedges on the side in case you want to add more lemon juice as you're eating.
lemon wedges

Notes

*Be sure to zest the lemon before squeezing out the juice.

This dish reheats well. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If desired, add some fresh lemon juice to the leftovers before serving to refresh the flavor. For best results, do not freeze.

Nutrition