One Pot Orzo Risoni Bolognaise Recipe
This One Pot Orzo Bolognaise is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender ground beef with tomato passata, Italian herbs, and orzo pasta all cooked together in one skillet. It’s a quick and easy meal packed with rich flavors, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb / 500g ground beef (mince)
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced (brown, white or yellow)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 24 oz / 700g tomato passata
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp dried Italian herbs (or any combination of dried parsley, oregano, basil)
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 1/2 to 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 3 cups water
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups dried orzo / risoni
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Finely chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes or until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and increase the heat to high. Cook the beef thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it browns evenly.
- Add remaining ingredients except pasta: Once the beef is browned, stir in the tomato passata, Worcestershire sauce, dried Italian herbs, beef bouillon cubes, salt, black pepper, and water. Let the mixture come to a simmer; it may bubble and spit slightly.
- Incorporate the orzo: Add the dried orzo pasta to the simmering sauce, give it a quick stir to combine, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook the orzo: Let the mixture cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently towards the end to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom. If the liquid reduces too quickly, add a little hot water to maintain the sauciness.
- Remove from heat and check texture: Take the pan off the stove when the orzo is still slightly firm to the bite and the sauce is generously thick and saucy.
- Adjust seasoning and stir: Taste the dish and adjust salt or pepper if needed, then give a good stir to distribute flavors evenly.
- Serve and garnish: Serve immediately while hot and saucy. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Beef bouillon cubes add depth of flavor; adjust salt accordingly.
- Orzo should be slightly al dente when cooking is complete, as it will continue to soften after removing from heat.
- If tomato passata is unavailable, crushed tomatoes can be used as a substitute.
- Keep stirring towards the end of cooking to avoid the orzo sticking and burning at the bottom of the pan.
Keywords: One Pot Orzo, Risoni Bolognaise, Orzo Pasta Recipe, Easy Italian Dinner, Ground Beef Pasta, One Pot Meals
