Experience a vibrant take on Lemony Asparagus Pasta, where tender orzo mingles with crisp asparagus and a savory garlic butter sauce infused with Parmesan. This delightful dish, a standout among Asparagus Pasta Recipes, balances creamy textures and bright, citrus accents that transform ordinary Dinner Sides into a celebration of fresh flavor.

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I’ve been experimenting with different pasta recipes and this Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta quickly became one of my favorites. In just about 20 minutes you can create a dish that’s both cheesy and satisfying.

I start by cooking 8 oz orzo pasta until it’s tender and then add 1 lb fresh asparagus that’s been trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces. Then, I melt 4 tbsp of unsalted butter and add in 4 cloves of minced garlic until it’s fragrant.

This simple technique really helps to release all the savory flavors. To finish it off, I stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, and if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, even a pinch of red pepper flakes.

The rich garlic butter sauce not only gives amazing taste but also adds nutritional benefits from the asparagus and garlic like vitamins and fiber. It’s a hearty dinner side that really impresses!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, it’s super fast and easy to make – I can have a tasty meal ready in just 20 minutes which is awesome when I’m in a rush. Second, the buttery garlic sauce mixed with Parmesan cheese gives the dish this rich, yummy flavor that totally makes my day. Third, I really dig how the orzo pasta soaks up all that garlicky goodness, and the fresh asparagus adds a crisp bite that makes everything balanced. And finally, even though it’s simple, the dish feels a bit fancy with its perfect blend of ingredients which makes me feel proud whenever I whip it up.

Ingredients

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8 oz orzo pasta: a light carbohydrate providing energy and a pleasant, filling base for the dish.
1 lb asparagus: loaded with fiber and vitamins, supports bone health and detox while adding a fresh crunch.
4 tbsp unsalted butter: adds rich, creamy texture and mouth-filling flavor with moderate fats.
4 cloves garlic: boosts savoriness and may help immunity with its warm, aromatic kick.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: delivers protein and a bold umami kick, enriching every bite.
Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes: seasonings that balance flavors without adding extra calories.
Overall: This pasta dish combines simple ingredients producing a balanced, satisfying meal.

Ingredient Quantities

8 oz orzo pasta

1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces

4 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes

How to Make this

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes then drain.

2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Add the minced garlic and if you’re using red pepper flakes, add them now. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.

4. Toss in the asparagus pieces, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and sauté for around 3-5 minutes until they start to get tender.

5. Add the drained orzo pasta to the skillet with the asparagus and garlic butter and mix well.

6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and combine everything thoroughly.

7. Let the pasta and vegetables cook together for an extra minute so the flavors meld.

8. Taste the dish and add a little extra salt or pepper if needed.

9. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a minute before serving.

10. Serve your garlic butter asparagus pasta piping hot, and enjoy with a little extra cheese on top if you like.

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot – to boil the water and pasta
2. Colander – for draining the orzo
3. Large skillet – for melting butter and cooking the veggies
4. Stove – to heat up your pot and skillet
5. Knife – for trimming and cutting the asparagus
6. Cutting board – to safely chop your veggies
7. Wooden spatula – to mix the ingredients well
8. Measuring cups and spoons – to properly measure butter and Parmesan
9. Grater – for shredding the Parmesan cheese
10. Serving dish – to present your finished dish nicely

FAQ

Q: Can I substitute another pasta for orzo?

A: Sure you can. If you dont have orzo, you might try using rice pasta or even regular spaghetti. Just expect slight changes in texture.

Q: How do I know if the asparagus is done cooking?

A: The asparagus should be bright green and tender but still have a little crunch. Overcooking makes it mushy so keep a close eye on it.

Q: Is it OK to use salted butter instead of unsalted?

A: Yeah, thats fine but be sure to adjust the salt in the recipe because salted butter might make it too salty.

Q: Can I add lemon juice or other seasonings to this dish?

A: Absolutely. A squeeze of lemon or a few red pepper flakes can brighten up the flavors if you like a bit of extra tang or heat.

Q: How long does it take altogether to make this recipe?

A: It takes about 25-30 minutes from start to finish so its a pretty quick meal for any busy day.

Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of orzo pasta, try using penne or small shell pasta. They cook similarly and still soak up all that garlic butter flavor.
If you cant find fresh asparagus, you can substitute it with green beans or even broccoli florets. They give a nice crunchy texture too.
Don’t have unsalted butter? Use a light olive oil in combination with regular butter to balance the salt.
For the Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano works well as a substitute if you like a sharper taste, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
If you’re out of red pepper flakes, a splash of cayenne pepper can add a similar kick without overpowering the dish.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you add garlic and the red pepper flakes to the butter on medium-low heat so the garlic doesnt burn, cause burnt garlic can really ruin the flavor.
2. When cooking the orzo, save about a half cup of the pasta water. Toss a little in at the end if your dish seems dry or if you want the butter and cheese to coat the pasta better.
3. If your asparagus pieces end up being a mix of sizes, try to cut them similar sizes next time for even cooking. You could even blanch them for a minute before tossing in the garlic butter so they keep a nice, bright green color.
4. Use a good quality Parmesan cheese if you can, and taste as you go. A little extra salt or pepper right before serving really amps up the flavor.

Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

390

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot – to boil the water and pasta
2. Colander – for draining the orzo
3. Large skillet – for melting butter and cooking the veggies
4. Stove – to heat up your pot and skillet
5. Knife – for trimming and cutting the asparagus
6. Cutting board – to safely chop your veggies
7. Wooden spatula – to mix the ingredients well
8. Measuring cups and spoons – to properly measure butter and Parmesan
9. Grater – for shredding the Parmesan cheese
10. Serving dish – to present your finished dish nicely

Ingredients

8 oz orzo pasta
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes then drain.
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and if you're using red pepper flakes, add them now. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
Toss in the asparagus pieces, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and sauté for around 3-5 minutes until they start to get tender.
Add the drained orzo pasta to the skillet with the asparagus and garlic butter and mix well.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and combine everything thoroughly.
Let the pasta and vegetables cook together for an extra minute so the flavors meld.
Taste the dish and add a little extra salt or pepper if needed.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a minute before serving.
Serve your garlic butter asparagus pasta piping hot, and enjoy with a little extra cheese on top if you like.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.