Surprise! See, I can make food that doesn’t have meat in it! There’s lots of hidden greens in this Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo. It’s a complete meal and only takes 15 minutes to make. A leisurely 15 minutes – no rushing, no pulling out every appliance in your kitchen. This is a really simple but really tasty dinner that only requires a handful of ingredients.
“Orzo/risoni is one of my quick meal tips. It’s shaped like rice but tastes like pasta and cooks in just 5 minutes.”
The main flavour base of this is pesto. When basil is in season or if you happen to have a friend with a “basil problem” in their herb patch (life is hard….), I instantly think of making pesto. The only problem is that homemade preservative-free basil doesn’t keep that well in the fridge – it tends to lose it’s bright green colour within a day and by the end of the week, it’s a rather unappetising greyish colour. You can preserve the colour better by ensuring you cover the top of the pesto with olive oil, but I still find that it discolours fairly quickly.
So the way I get around this is to freeze it. The flavour and colour preserves really well! I pour it into ice cube trays, then once frozen I turn it out and store it in ziplock bags. Using an ice cube tray is really handy for having serving size portions of pesto in the freezer.
“Pesto pasta is not exactly an original recipe idea. But I thought a pesto risoni loaded up with vegetables was something a little different because it’s a complete meal.”
Using pesto for pasta is pretty unoriginal, I know that! But I thought some people might find this recipe handy for a quick midweek meal – something a little different by using orzo/risoni and also ensuring there is enough zucchini and peas in this so it can be considered a complete meal.
I made this recipe using homemade pesto, but it can be made with store bought pesto too. I’ve also included a pesto recipe in the notes. It’s honestly so fast to make – just throw the ingredients in the food processor and whizz.
What are your “go to” quick meal fix tips? I’d love to hear them – it will inspire me for more 15 Minute Meal ideas!
More risoni / orzo recipes
-
One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo / Risoni Pasta – cosy, saucy one pot chicken and risoni dinner
-
Orzo / Risoni Bolognaise – one pot bolognese pasta dish!
-
Greek Lemon Orzo Salad – a bright fresh pasta salad loaded with Greek flavours
-
Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal) – tastes like risotto, except MUCH faster to make!
-
Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot) – tastes like a creamy mushroom risotto
-
Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (Risoni) – Greek chicken AND orzo made in one pot!
-
One Pot Creamy Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni) – creamy chicken and vegetable orzo, a quick 20 minute meal
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo (Risoni)
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup risoni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp basil pesto , preferably homemade (see notes for recipe)
- 1 small onion (brown, yellow or white), diced
- 1 garlic clove , crushed
- 3 cups zucchini , diced
- 1 cup frozen peas , preferably defrosted
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
To Serve
- Parmesan cheese , freshly grated
Instructions
- Place about 8 cups of water in a large saucepan and bring to boil.
- Add risoni and cook for 4 minutes, then add peas and cook for a further 1 minute. Note: The risoni will be slightly underdone at this point. It will finish cooking in the remaining steps.
- Scoop out 1/2 cup of the water from the saucepan, then drain the risoni and set aside until ready to add to the pan.
- Heat olive oil in a fry pan over medium high heat.
- Add garlic and onion and sauté for 1 minute until starting to soften.
- Add zucchini and sauté for a further 2 - 3 minutes until both the zucchini and onion are softened and the onion is starting to turn a light golden brown.
- Add pesto, risoni, pasta water reserved in step 3, salt and pepper. Bring the water to a simmer and stir for 1 minute until the water is absorbed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated parmesan.
Recipe Notes:
2 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup pine nuts (preferably toasted) (or cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts or almonds),
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (or Pecorino)
1/4 tsp salt and pepper (plus more to taste)
1/2 tbsp - 1 tbsp lemon juice (to taste) 2. If you want to add frozen spinach to add more nutrition into it, simply thaw then squeeze out excess liquid and add it when you add the orzo / risoni. Then stir through. 3. Nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Information:
I have been making this for years as a desperate quick meal for the family when I only have 15mins. So I thought it high time I said thank you! I keep a jar of store bought pesto in the pantry ready, and always peas in the freezer. And with a quick fridge shake, a zucchini appears, or another veggie, or not. Always a winner even with one of my daughters who is so fussy she wont eat something if there is a speck of green on it. But will eat this! A satisfying fast meal, I do off by heart now. I highly recommend giving it a go so you have it up your sleeve and can adapt it as well!!!
I’m so glad you all love it Christina! It’s a great one to have up your sleeve! N x
I haven’t made this yet, but need to use up a lot of zucchini which is ready to be picked from my garden. Do you think this dish would freeze well?
Hi. The recipe says to use 8 cups of water no matter how many serves the recipe is made for. Can you please clarify?
So good! I made a rocket pesto following your pesto instructions which used up some limp leaves, and added half a green chilli and it was so refreshing and tasty! Thanks Nagi!
Perfect Beth! N x
I have made a similar version of this but never thought of adding sauted garlic/onions. Will definitely try.
Love to know what you think!
At what stage of the recipe do you add the peas? Thanks
This looks divine! And so healthy 🙂
Thanks Chelsey! Hope you try it! 🙂
Somehow I have the urge to add meat in it! Just kidding 😉
Although I eat meat everyday, almost every meal, I still enjoy a flavorful vegetarian dish. You’re right, I never thought to mix pesto and risoni together and the idea sounds great! It’s a good dish for a healthy and light dinner. Again, I might want to dice some chicken and add into it 🙂
Thanks Maggie!! And I’m the same as you – natural instinct is to have some form of meat in every meal!!
What sort of meat would you suggest to serve this dish with? Sausages? Rotisserie chicken? Thanks 🙂