Pea green orzotto

Name: Pea green orzotto
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Italian recipes
Ingredients: 300g frozen peas, defrosted in a bowl of water; 1 garlic clove; 2 basil sprigs, leaves picked (save the small leaves for garnish); 20g parmesan (or veggie equivalent), finely grated, plus extra to serve; 150g hot vegetable stock; Squeeze lemon juice; 350g orzo; 150g mozzarella, grated or diced; 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)

By: Pollyanna Coupland
Food producer, delicious.

Published: 30 Apr 24
Updated: 9 May 24

Test kitchen approved

Everyone loves the ease of orzo, or risoni as it’s known in Italy. This beautiful, bright green orzotto has the fresh flavours of sweet peas, fragrant basil and a wonderful oozy texture thanks to the mozzarella. It’s spring in a bowl!

Serves 4
Hands on time 20 minutes

Visit deliciousmagazine.co.uk to save recipe

Ingredients

300g frozen peas, defrosted in a bowl of water
1 garlic clove
2 basil sprigs, leaves picked (save the small leaves for garnish)
20g parmesan (or veggie equivalent), finely grated, plus extra to serve
150g hot vegetable stock
Squeeze lemon juice
350g orzo
150g mozzarella, grated or diced
1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)

Method

Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Meanwhile, put the defrosted peas in a blender with the garlic, basil, parmesan and stock, then whizz into a smooth, loose sauce. Taste and season with salt and lemon juice.
Cook the orzo in the boiling water for 6-8 minutes.
Pour the bright green sauce into a pan, add the grated mozzarella and heat until the cheese has completely melted – you don’t want to heat the sauce for too long or you’ll turn the sauce murky. Once the orzo has cooked, drain, then stir through the sauce and beat in the butter (if using). Divide among bowls, then top with cracked black pepper and more grated parmesan.

Recipe from April 2024 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 513kcals
Fat: 14g (8.4g saturated)
Protein: 23g
Carbohydrates: 68g (7.5g sugars)
Fibre: 8.5g
Salt: 0.7g

delicious. tips

The versatile pea sauce can be made up ahead of time and frozen in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost quickly in the microwave and toss it through any pasta; it’s nice with fish too.

Fancy getting a copy in print?

Subscribe to our magazine

Pea green orzotto

Ingredients

Method

Nutrition

delicious. tips

More to discover