One-Pot Orzo Bolognese Recipe for Flavorful Weeknight Dinners

The tastiest one-pot orzo bolognese — like a bolognese risotto. Easy, flavourful and perfect for family dinners.

One-pot meals are a lifesaver for busy families, and this one-pot orzo bolognese is a firm favourite. It combines a rich, vegetable-packed bolognese with orzo added at the end so you get a creamy, risotto-like texture with plenty of parmesan.

Think bolognese risotto — pile on the parmesan!

The sauce is hearty and well-seasoned, full of diced vegetables and herbs. Orzo is stirred in for the final ten minutes so it absorbs the flavours and becomes tender without getting mushy.

This is a simple weeknight meal with big flavour and minimal fuss. Leftovers taste great reheated, so it’s ideal for lunch the next day or for freezing before you add the orzo.

Equipment Needed

• Chopping board
• Sharp knife
• Tablespoon
• Large saucepan with a lid
• Teaspoon
• Weighing scales – optional, to measure the orzo
• Measuring jug
• Cooking spoon or spatula

One Pot Orzo Bolognese Ingredients

Simple, wholesome ingredients make this an easy and satisfying meal.

• 1 tbsp olive oil (or rapeseed oil)
• 2 carrots – finely diced
• 2 celery sticks – finely sliced
• 1 onion – finely diced
• 1 red pepper – finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic – finely chopped (or use garlic powder or jarred chopped garlic)
• 500g minced beef – lean is best
• 2 tins chopped tomatoes
• 2 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 300g orzo pasta
• 250ml beef stock

How To Make Orzo Bolognese – One Pot Pasta Recipe

This recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare — perfect for busy evenings.

Step One – sauté the onions, carrots, celery, pepper and garlic

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the carrots, celery, onion, red pepper and garlic and sauté for about 10 minutes, until softened.

Step Two – brown the minced beef

• Add the minced beef and stir briskly to brown and break up any lumps.

Step Three – add the tomatoes and seasoning

• Pour in the chopped tomatoes and add two tins of water (use an emptied tomato tin to measure). Season with salt, pepper and the oregano.

Step Four – cook the orzo bolognese

• Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
• After 30 minutes of simmering, add the orzo and the beef stock. Continue cooking uncovered for the remaining 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened.

What Side Dishes Go With Orzo Bolognese

This dish pairs well with simple vegetable sides or bread — steamed green beans, broccoli, garlic bread or herby ciabatta are all great choices.

• Easy bean salad – a quick, flavourful bean salad that complements pasta dishes.
• Simple salad with lemon pesto dressing – a fresh, Italian-style salad that pairs well with bolognese.
• Tomato and basil salad – a classic side of ripe tomatoes and torn basil.

More Easy Pasta Recipes For Family Dinner

• Easy canned tuna pasta – a speedy pasta with tuna, tomatoes and olives.
• Roasted tomato pasta – a simple vegetarian sauce great for ripe tomatoes.
• BLT pasta salad – bacon, lettuce and tomato in a creamy dressing, ideal as a side or lunch.

How To Use Up Leftover Orzo Bolognese

Leftover bolognese makes a great filling for sandwiches or sliders — try it in sloppy joes, stuffed peppers or as a topping for baked potatoes.

Need Some Family Dinner Inspiration?

If you need meal-planning ideas, try using a weekly plan filled with easy, family-friendly recipes to make evenings less stressful and more enjoyable.

One Pot Orzo Bolognese Recipe

Yield:
Serves 4

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes

Delicious one-pan Italian family meal everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrots – finely diced
• 2 celery sticks – finely sliced
• 1 onion – finely diced
• 1 red pepper – finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic – finely chopped
• 500g minced beef
• 2 tins chopped tomatoes
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 300g orzo pasta
• 250ml beef stock

Instructions

1. Add a splash of olive oil to a large pan and sauté the carrots, celery, onion, red pepper and garlic for around 10 minutes.
2. Add the minced beef and stir until browned.
3. Add the tins of chopped tomatoes and two tins of water.
4. Season with salt, pepper and oregano.
5. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for 40 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, stir in the orzo and add the beef stock. Cook uncovered for the final 10 minutes until the orzo is tender.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 592
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 111mg
Sodium: 352mg
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 43g

Nutritional content is an estimate and will vary depending on ingredients and measurements.

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