This quick and easy Ham Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas is the perfect weeknight dinner. Bright and full of flavor, it comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

It’s a one-pan meal that feels fresh and satisfying without any extra effort. Add it to you list of the best leftover ham recipes!

Our lemon orzo recipe became such a reader favorite that we had to make a heartier version for those who want a little more to dig into. This lemon orzo with peas and ham has all the bright flavor you love, with tender carrots and little bites of savory ham mixed in. Easter always means ham at our house, and this recipe is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the leftovers.

Ingredients For Ham Lemon Orzo

This quick weeknight pasta comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each one adds its own layer of flavor! From the savory ham to the bright lemon zest and creamy Parmesan. Here’s what you’ll need to make this cozy dinner:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps toast the orzo and adds richness.
• Orzo Pasta: A small pasta that cooks to al dente quickly and soaks up flavor beautifully.
• Garlic: Adds depth and savory aroma.
• Chicken Broth: Infuses the orzo with flavor as it cooks.
• Fresh Thyme: Brings a subtle earthy note that pairs perfectly with ham and lemon.
• Lemon Zest: Adds a bright citrus punch.
• Lemon Juice: Enhances freshness and balances the richness.
• Ham: Savory, salty flavor that makes this meal hearty.
• Steamed Carrots: Add color and a touch of sweetness.
• Peas: Bring texture and a pop of spring flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds creaminess and salty depth.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste.

Every ingredient plays its part in creating the perfect balance of creamy and comforting. Keep them on hand! Once you’ve made this once, you’ll want to whip it up again and again.

These garlic roasted carrots are caramelized carrots with slightly crisp edges cooked in a garlic honey butter sauce. This carrot side dish will steal the show on your plate.

Garlic Roasted Carrots

Who would have thought to combine Sriracha, garlic, honey, and pepper with carrots?

Rebecca Lindamood of Foodie with Family, that’s who. Rebecca’s new cookbook, The Ultimate Guide To Vegetable Side Dishes is truly the ultimate guide and it’s perfect for all your holiday dinners too. If you haven’t already, you will want to get this in your hands just as soon as possible.

One of my favorite perks to food blogging is getting my hands on the latest cookbooks before they’re released. And this is one that I’ve been impatient to finally have at my fingertips! This book is crammed with wonderful vegetable recipes that go beyond simply simmering them in a pot.

Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

My family loves almost every sweet and spicy flavor combination, so these honey garlic roasted carrots were an easy first choice to try from Rebecca’s cookbook. I wasn’t wrong, every last carrot was devoured.

I love the smell of the fresh sweet carrots that are available at Farmer’s Markets right now. But don’t worry. Even the blandest grocery store carrot can taste great when it’s drenched in this Garlic Butter glaze and roasted.

This easy side dish recipe uses a simple cooking method and supporting ingredients to enhance every bit of flavor in the carrots.

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Cheesy Basil Roasted Vegetables [+Video]

This easy and delicious recipe combines the savory flavors of cheese and basil with roasted vegetables for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Perfect for those end of summer veggies!

One of the hardest parts about cooking dinner during the summer is always turning on the oven. No one wants to do it. Am I right? I totally understand and I hear you, I do, but now I’m going to ask you to do just that because this cheesy basil vegetables side dish is so worth it. Roasted vegetables always are.

We had a few veggies that needed to be used up, but more importantly our basil was in it’s last few days of life and so I thought I would try my hand at a quick and easy veggie dish that you all can serve. We looooooved it.

How to Make Roasted Summer Vegetables Video

This is so easy and you can definitely use fresh or dried basil which means that this recipe is one you can make all year round. I know your guests will love it once Thanksgiving hits too. I know, let’s not even talk about that yet, but it’s true. It will be here before we know it!

Ingredients for Roasted Summer Veggies

Roasted vegetables are my favorite kind of vegetables! And keeping them simple is the best way to go. All you need is a few simple ingredients to make this tasty vegetables side dish. Here is what you need:

• Vegetables: Carrots, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash
• Cheese: Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese
• Flavor: Basil and Garlic
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Cheesy Basil Roasted Vegetables

Your first step will be to slice up your veggies, then toss them with the rest of the ingredients saving a little of the basil and cheeses for later. Then roast it all up in the oven. The last few minutes top with the additional cheese and then sprinkle the last of the basil on before serving. If it’s winter and you don’t have fresh basil you can garnish with a little parsley. Booyah!

Are Vegetables Hard to Digest?

Some vegetables such as

Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Elevate your vegetable game with these delicious honey roasted carrots with garlic butter. Easy to make and packed with flavor, they make the perfect side dish for any meal.

They are the new favorite in our house and even the kids can’t get enough of them!

Other than salad, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes I never know what in the heck to do for delicious side dishes. Those three all have great recipes and variations out there, but don’t you ever want something else for a veggie?

My mom used to make creamed carrots for Sunday dinners and while I’m totally wondering why I haven’t posted that recipe yet I do have one for honey roasted carrots today. They are simple enough to make for a quick weeknight meal but fancy enough to be a side dish for a holiday feast.

The biggest reasons I love this recipe is, A. it’s crazy easy, and B. you can actually prep everything including partially roasting the carrots in the morning and then finish them off before everyone arrives. Just make sure you don’t overcook them because no one wants bitter carrots.

What Do I Need to Make Oven Roasted Carrots?

Carrots are a great vegetable! They are budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and they will last in the refrigerator for weeks. You only need a few ingredients for this honey roasted carrots recipe. Here is your shopping list…

• Baby Carrots: whole carrots can also be used if desired
• Olive Oil: neutral flavor is perfect for roasting
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Black Pepper: adds flavor
• Butter: adds richness and helps the carrots get golden roasted
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Honey: adds natural sweetness, maple syrup could also be used
• Lemon Flaked Salt: regular flaked sea salt will work great as well

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Honey Glazed Carrots in the Oven

This recipe is super easy and comes together in less than 30 minutes. And most of the time time is just roasting the carrots in the oven. Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness and is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this classic vegetable. Here are the steps:

1. Boil: Place the carrots in a large pot of boiling water and boil them until almost tender. Drain the carrots.
2. Preheat: While the carrots are boiling, set the oven to 450 degrees F.
3. Toss: Add the olive oil, salt and pepper to the carrots and toss to coat.
4. Roast: Place the carrots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and put them in the preheated

Cold Buster Green Smoothie (How to Fight a Cold)

This cold buster green smoothie recipe is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system, hydrate your body and send those winter colds packing!

Green smoothies were all the rage a while ago and still are, but I never really thought they were that big of a deal. And then I realized that with all of those vitamins packed into a smoothie we would actually be giving ourselves the proper nutrition that we are recommended in getting. So, we started keeping a full supply of spinach and fruits and sure enough, not only did we start feeling better but we weren’t getting sick.

I hate winter. I know, lots of people love it and cannot wait to get outside and enjoy all that the snow has to offer, but I hate it. Strong word? I seriously dislike it I guess. I am learning to really enjoy skiing, but I still freeze to death and cannot last very long out there. But the major reason I don’t like winter is because we all get sick and pass it around over and over again all winter long. I freeze all winter which I’m sure keeps me sick.

You don’t have to pass a cold around all winter. Last year we cracked down and learned how to fight a cold and this cold buster green smoothie was a huge help! Keep scrolling to the end to see other products we love to help us survive winter colds.

What Makes a Green Smoothie?

The definition of a “green smoothie” can be quite ambiguous but the basics of a green smoothie are:

Leafy Greens + Liquid + Fruit

Then, of course, you can add other ingredient to add protein and more nutrients. Keep scrolling below to see suggestions for the best types of leafy greens, liquids and fruits. We also want to highlight what makes this recipe specifically a cold buster green smoothie.

Ingredients in a Cold Buster Green Smoothie

This smoothie is unique in that we chose specific items to kick the cold right where it hurts:

• Spinach: adds great fiber, vitamins and nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K as well as iron, folate and potassium
• Orange Juice: isn’t just about the vitamin C it’s also about staying hydrated
• Orange with Peel: really slam dunk the vitamin C and the peel contains 4 times more fiber than the fruit itself, it has anti-inflammatory properties and may even help reduce harmful LDL’s
• Baby Carrots: great for killing germs in the mouth and helping with digestion
• Banana: gives the body natural energy which is something you are lacking when sick, and it helps the smoothie be extra creamy
• Frozen Pineapple: adds flavor and helps thicken the smoothie when it’s frozen
• Apple: adds flavor and natural sweetness
• Ice: helps thicken the smoothie without adding sugar or extra calories
• Optional: add a scoop of protein so our b