Description
Cajun orzo brings Louisiana’s spicy soul to your dinner table, blending creamy pasta with zesty seasonings. Robust flavors dance through each bite, promising a memorable meal that celebrates Southern culinary traditions you’ll savor to the last forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 2 green bell peppers, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 shallots or 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic & herb seasoning or garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Pasta & Liquids:
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree (concentrated tomato paste)
- 3 1/2 cups (800ml) beef broth
Toppings:
- 3 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1 red jalapeno, sliced (optional)
- Fresh thyme, for garnish
Instructions
- In a spacious skillet, melt butter with oil over medium-low temperature, gently sautéing shallots and bell peppers until they transform into a soft, translucent mixture, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and fragrant Cajun seasonings, stirring rapidly to awaken their aromatic essence and distribute evenly throughout the pan.
- Elevate heat to medium-high, crumble ground beef into the skillet, browning thoroughly while breaking into small, uniform pieces. Incorporate orzo, allowing it to toast slightly and absorb the rich meat flavors.
- Whisk tomato paste into the sizzling mixture, then cascade beef broth over the ingredients. Accelerate heat to trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the mixture to bubble softly for 15-20 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent orzo from sticking and ensure even cooking. Monitor liquid absorption and pasta tenderness.
- Remove from heat, fold in shredded cheese until completely melted and integrated. Taste critically and adjust seasonings to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Transfer to serving dish, embellish with fresh thyme sprigs, additional cheese sprinkles, and optional sliced jalapenos for vibrant presentation and extra zest.
Notes
- Customize Heat Levels Adjust cayenne and Cajun seasoning to match your spice tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
- Smart Protein Swaps Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles work perfectly for lighter or vegetarian versions of this dish.
- One-Pan Magic Use a cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor development and easier cleanup.
- Meal Prep Friendly This recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it excellent for work lunches or quick weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg