Pesto Orzo with Roasted Zucchini

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Capture the best summer flavors with this easy vegetarian meal featuring pesto sauce, roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and onions tossed with orzo.

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch slices
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 large Spanish onion, chopped
1/2 cup pesto sauce
8 cherry tomatoes, halved, or more to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2 Place zucchini in a bowl and season with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
3 Roast zucchini in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip slices and continue roasting until tender and golden, about 10 minutes more.
4 Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and vegetable bouillon. Cook until orzo is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
5 Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in pesto sauce. Cut each zucchini round into 4 pieces and add to the skillet. Add orzo, stirring to coat in pesto sauce. Add cherry tomatoes. Stir until just combined, about 30 seconds. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.