Description
This Cajun Dirty Orzo is a flavorful and comforting one-pan dish featuring browned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta tossed in a Cajun-spiced broth and finished with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a quick and hearty meal ideal for weeknights, delivering a spicy, cheesy, and savory experience inspired by Cajun seasoning.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots or 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 green bell peppers, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (see notes)
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp garlic & herb seasoning or garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (500g) ground beef, lean mince preferred
- 1 ½ cups (300g) orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp tomato purée (concentrated tomato paste)
- 3 ⅓ cups (800ml) beef broth or stock (can be made with two stock cubes)
Finishing Touches
- 3 tbsp grated cheddar cheese (plus extra to serve)
- 1 red jalapeño, sliced (optional, to serve)
- Fresh thyme (to serve)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the butter and olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the finely diced shallots and green bell peppers and sauté for about five minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and the mix of Cajun seasoning, celery salt, garlic & herb seasoning, dried parsley, and salt to coat the vegetables and release their flavors.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat slightly and add the ground beef to the pan. Use the back of a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Continue stirring and cooking until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through.
- Toast the Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the browned beef and continue stirring, allowing the orzo to toast lightly in the pan and soak up the flavors for a few minutes.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Stir in the tomato purée to evenly coat the meat and pasta. Pour in the beef broth or stock, bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Turn off the heat and immediately stir in the grated cheddar cheese so it melts smoothly into the dish. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for added aroma and freshness.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Cajun Dirty Orzo hot, topped with sliced red jalapeño for a spicy kick if desired, and more grated cheddar cheese. Enjoy this deliciously cheesy, spicy, and comforting meal!
Notes
- Cajun seasoning can be store-bought or homemade; ensure it has smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic, onion, and herbs.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño according to your heat preference or substitute with dried chili flakes.
- You can use beef stock cubes dissolved in water if you don’t have ready-made broth.
- This dish can be customized by substituting beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
