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Ready in one dish and in under an hour, my vegetarian dump-and-bake lemon pepper orzo is creamy and bright! We save time by cooking the orzo and asparagus right in that lemony sauce. It’s a cozy dinner (but not heavy) that’s ideal for busy weeknights or low-effort entertaining!

If you loved my Marry Me Orzo Casserole or Lemon Pepper Chickpeas…this recipe takes everything great about them and throws them together!

A close-up of baked orzo pasta mixed with asparagus, spinach, and grated cheese in a white ceramic dish, with a wooden spoon on the side.
Every bite of this lemony orzo dump-and-bake is a little different, with the sunshiney flavors of lemon pepper, asparagus, garlic, and parmesan!
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This is the kind of recipe I reach for when I want real comfort without standing at the stove. Like my dump & bake veggie pot pie, I love that everything goes into the pan at once and bakes up evenly, with the orzo soaking in lemon pepper flavor as it cooks.

your new go-to veggie-filled dinner

  • No mushy orzo here! Just perfectly cooked pasta ☺️
  • True dump-and-bake ease with no boiling required
  • Minimal prep and minimal dishes – perfect for a weeknight oven pasta recipe

Reader rating

★★★★★

“This came out PERFECTLY. I sprinkled a bit more parm on top after plating. Will absolutely repeat when I need a vegetarian main!” —K

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A white baking dish filled with orzo pasta, asparagus, spinach, and grated cheese sits on a green tiled surface next to a bowl of the same dish and slices of bread.
There’s no need to pre-boil the orzo! With a little foil trick, it gets perfectly cooked in the oven.

tested again and again…

We tested this specifically to avoid common baked-orzo issues like dry edges or gummy centers. We landed on a method that stays creamy, reheats well, and tastes just as good the next day, which is exactly what I want from an easy vegetarian dinner!

  • Covered Bake: We tested this creamy baked orzo with vegetables both covered and uncovered, and covering the dish was essential to trap steam so the orzo could hydrate evenly without drying out on top.
  • Orzo Quality Check: Different brands absorb liquid differently, so we tested timing ranges and confirmed that higher-quality orzo needs a longer first bake to stay al dente and creamy in a no-boil orzo pasta bake.
  • Chickpeas Optional: We tested this with and without chickpeas – both are great! The chickpeas make the recipe feel more like a main dish, adding a bit of protein and fiber.
Bowls of spinach, cream, parmesan, garlic, asparagus, seasonings, broth, and orzo arranged on a green tiled surface, each ingredient labeled.

Key ingredients

Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

  • Orzo: We tested no-boil methods extensively, and orzo works best because its small shape absorbs liquid evenly in the oven.
  • Asparagus: Adds freshness and texture without releasing too much water during baking. Don’t chop the asparagus too small that it overcooks. Overcooked asparagus will end up mushy and stringy.
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Provides acidity and brightness without needing extra steps or fresh lemon prep. You can make homemade lemon pepper seasoning or use store-bought.
  • Heavy Cream: The higher fat content withstands baking temperatures without curdling. Regular milk or oat milk won’t work, but vegan heavy cream and coconut milk do.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory depth and helps the sauce thicken naturally as it cools.
  • Spinach: Stirred in at the end so it wilts gently without overcooking.
  • Chickpeas (optional): To add a little protein and fiber, toss in a drained can of chickpeas at the same time as the orzo.

If your orzo gets mushy

This usually means the orzo is overcooked, which is probably because of the quality of the orzo. High-quality orzo needs an additional 10 minutes because the pasta is less processed. If it’s mushy, the orzo is likely lower quality and has been overcooked. It’ll still taste good, but next time just reduce the cooking time!

A bowl of orzo pasta mixed with asparagus, spinach, and grated cheese, with a fork resting in the dish on a green tile surface next to a blue textured napkin.
Need some more protein? Top it with lemon pepper tofu!

What vegetables go well?

A lot of veggies work well in orzo with lemon pepper seasoning! Here are some others we’ve tried and loved from time to time:

  • Mushrooms
  • Basil (instead of spinach or mixed with)
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Zucchini

Love easy dinners like this? Try my dump-and-bake tortellini or vegetarian meatball casserole next! And if you love orzo, my pesto orzo casserole is always a hit.

Baked orzo pasta with asparagus, spinach, and grated cheese in a white ceramic baking dish on a green tiled surface.
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Lemon Pepper Orzo Casserole (Dump & Bake Dinner)

4.80 from 58 ratings
By: Sarah Bond
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This dump-and-bake lemon pepper orzo is creamy, bright, and ready in one dish, cooking the orzo and asparagus right in the sauce for an easy vegetarian dinner.

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb orzo*, 453 g
  • 2 cups chopped asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 cups vegetable broth, 700 mL
  • 1 cup heavy cream, 236 mL
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½ tsp each salt, mustard powder
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 40 g
  • 2 handfuls fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 15-oz can chickpeas, optional
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Instructions 

  • Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large (9×13 inch or similar) casserole dish.
  • Dump: To the prepared dish, dump in 1 lb orzo*, 2 cups chopped asparagus, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning, ½ tsp each salt, mustard powder, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
    Optionally stir in 1 15-oz can chickpeas (drained).
    A white baking dish filled with uncooked orzo, asparagus, broth, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and seasonings sits on a green tiled surface—perfect for an easy Dump and Bake Orzo Recipe.
  • Bake: Stir to combine then cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes*, or until orzo is al dente (mostly tender but still has a little firmness in the middle).
    A white baking dish filled with orzo pasta and asparagus sits on a green tiled surface, with a wooden spoon resting inside and a piece of foil partially visible nearby.
  • Stir Ins: Stir in ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and 2 handfuls fresh spinach. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes. Orzo should be tender when finished.
    White baking dish with cooked pasta and fresh spinach leaves on top, partially mixed with a wooden spoon, on a green tiled surface.
  • Serve warm with crusty bread on the side!
    A bowl of orzo pasta with asparagus, spinach, and grated cheese, served with a slice of bread on a green tiled surface.

Notes

*Orzo cooking times differ by the quality of the orzo. For a high-quality Italian orzo, cook closer to 40 minutes during the first bake. Cheaper orzo cooks faster, about 30 minutes.
Storage: This recipe will last in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it in a silicone soup mold for up to 3 months. Add a bit more broth to rehydrate it while reheating.
Make-ahead vegetarian pasta: You can prep this casserole the night before and just wait to add the cream until you’re ready to bake. Cover with foil and keep in the fridge until ready to bake.
If the orzo seems dry when you take the foil off the first time, feel free to add more broth on top and give it a good stir.
Can this recipe be made with gluten-free orzo or pasta? No, gluten-free pasta and orzo absorb liquid differently, so the ratios for this recipe will likely not work for gluten-free variations.
Don’t skip the foil: For no-boil pasta bakes cooked in the oven, like in this one-pan orzo bake, it’s important to cover the dish with foil. This keeps all the liquid inside the dish to help the pasta cook. Without the foil, the moisture will evaporate and the top of the pasta will become dry, hard, and won’t cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 640mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1200IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

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This easy dump-and-bake dinner is great for weeknights but can also be prepped ahead for a dinner party. If you’re doing that, consider one of these side dishes to pair with it:

more dump & bake meals

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4.80 from 58 votes

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150 Comments

  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! My husband liked it and he usually requires meat in a dinner. Maybe I’ll add chicken to it next time but the chick peas tasted great in this recipe! I did need to add a little more salt!

    Reply
    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      Happy you enjoyed it Casey, thanks for cooking with us!

    2. Anna says:

      4 stars
      Note: it can, in fact, be made with gluten free pasta (jovial stelline). It was delightful! The cream was a little overpowering for my taste so I’d go lighter on that and add more vegetable stock

  2. Elizabeth L. says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Shocked that the chickpeas didn’t add any type of funkiness, just extra nutrition! This was absolutely what I needed on a warmer friday night!

    Reply
    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      So glad it turned out well Elizabeth!

  3. SM says:

    Unfortunately, I did not notice the ‘g’ measurement for the orzo was incorrect (did not change when reducing portion). I will need to try the recipe another time!

    Reply
  4. Monica says:

    5 stars
    Had my doubts but this came out fantastic! I used coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Added a squirt of lemon juice at the end.

    Reply
    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      Thanks for the kind words Monica!

  5. Jen Murray says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!! It will be on regular rotation and I can’t wait to try other recipes!

    Reply
    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      So glad it hit the spot Jen, thanks for sharing!

  6. Ellen Persi says:

    5 stars
    I made this delicious recipe. Your instructions were so easy to follow. I have a question. Can this dish be refrigerated after cooking and served like a cold side dish?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Bond says:

      I am so happy to hear that you loved this recipe, Ellen! Yes, it’s delicious served cold!

  7. Laura Diana says:

    5 stars
    I just made this, it was SO easy and good! I would add more seasoning than listed but this is DEFINITELY going in the rotation!!
    Also I LOVE that you list measurements in the text of the recipe!!!!

    Reply
    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      Love hearing that, thanks for trying it Laura!

  8. Meagan says:

    I made this but it came out with a more oatmeal consistency. Do you have an idea of what I did wrong?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Bond says:

      Hi Meagan! It sounds like your orzo just absorbed a bit more of the broth than intended. You can just stir in a little extra warm broth or cream after cooking to bring it to that looser consistency!

  9. Kim S Durand says:

    I tried to “veganize” it by using Full Fat Coconut Milk, it ended up very tasty, but it was a bit watery. Next time, I’ll look for vegan cream – I know it’s out there, I just didn’t have any on hand. I added some nooch to thicken it up a bit.
    The flavors were fabulous and the asparagus was cooked just right! Thanks. I will make this one again.

    Reply
  10. Courtney says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe EXACTLY and it was WAYYY too much orzo….. anyone else experience this??

    Reply