4.8 from 20 votes
Cajun Dirty Orzo
Love Cajun Dirty Rice? You will definitely adore my Cajun Dirty Orzo recipe! This one pan wonder is hearty, delicious, thrifty and quick. Perfect for a midweek meal and a kid favourite.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
515 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onion finely diced, or shallot
- 2 green bell pepper finely diced
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning see notes
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp garlic & herb seasoning , or garlic powder
- 2 tsp parsley dried
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lb ground beef I used lean beef mince
- 2 tbsp tomato puree or concentrated tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- 3 ⅓ cups beef broth or beef stock made with two stock cubes
- 3 tbsp cheddar cheese grated plus extra, to serve
- 1 jalapeno pepper to serve (optional, red, sliced
- thyme to serve, fresh
Instructions
- Heat the butter and oil in a pan and add the shallots, chopped pepper. Sauté over medium-low heat for five minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and seasonings.
- Turn up the heat slightly and add the beef, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon so that it starts to brown.
- Add the orzo and continue to stir until the beef is nicely browned and orzo is a bit toasted.
- Stir in the tomato paste and finally the beef broth/ stock. Bring to a rolling boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked, about 15-20 minutes.
- Turn the heat off and stir in the grated cheese so that it melts into the dish. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh thyme.
- Serve with sliced jalapeno or dried red chili flakes for an extra bit of heat plus more cheese (can you ever have enough?). SUPER YUM!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Stir in some water when reheating to loosen up the orzo. This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
- This recipe is very child-friendly provided your Cajun seasoning is on the mild side. If you are using a spicy blend then add one teaspoon to start with and increase, to taste.
- Use low sodium beef broth / stock cubes as the seasoning contains salt.
- You can replace the lean ground beef with any type of ground beef as well as ground turkey or crumbled sausage if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Calories
515kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
39g
(78%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
89mg
(30%)
Sodium
1193mg
(50%)
Potassium
1214mg
(26%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1406IU
(28%)
Vitamin C
51mg
(57%)
Calcium
125mg
(13%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 515
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 515kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 1193mg | 50% |
| Potassium | 1214mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1406IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 51mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 125mg | 13% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.