Harissa Orzo with Butter Beans: My Weekly One-Pot Dinner Obsession
For over a year now, I've been making the same pasta dish nearly every week, and it's not out of boredom. This harissa orzo with butter beans has become my go-to quick weeknight dinner, cooking entirely in one pot for minimal fuss and maximum flavour.
Nothing beats the excitement of trying new recipes, but sometimes they fall flat. In contrast, this one-pot pasta dish has me completely hooked. I first discovered it through naturopathic nutritionist Jess Shand's recipe in an old issue of Olive magazine. It's a one-pan harissa, butter bean, and red pepper orzo that I've come to rely on time and again.
The Star Ingredient: Butter Beans
My favourite element, and arguably my most-loved ingredient right now, is butter beans. I simply can't resist a good butter bean recipe. They make any stew, curry, or pasta dish wonderfully satisfying. In fact, I'm so fond of them that I double the quantity in any recipe.
Butter beans are brilliant at absorbing flavour, making them far more exciting than you might expect. Beans in general are having a real moment, and I'm absolutely on board. Another butter bean recipe close to my heart is former MasterChef champion Shelina Permaloo's Mauritian butter bean curry, which delivers a taste of the islands rarely found in the UK.
Why This Dish Works So Well
The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to simmer while you get on with your daily routine. Allowing the sauce to reduce gives it a glossy sheen, intensifying the harissa's heat. Not only is this orzo recipe incredibly straightforward to prepare, but it also lends itself to endless variation.
Instead of cavolo nero, I typically opt for spinach. Not keen on all the pepper? Use one rather than two. Not a fan of feta? Swap it for any cheese you fancy, or leave it out entirely. The notion of a purely vegetarian dish might raise some eyebrows, but this orzo works brilliantly as a base for adding protein.
Personally, I'd throw in some prawns for a delicious, salty, seafood flavour lingering in the background. That said, it works equally well with chicken or even tofu. It's such an ideal one-pot meal, particularly for those living alone.
The Practical Benefits
Batch cooking has become something of a lifesaver in recent years, sparing both my energy and my wallet from being stretched too thin. This dish is the ultimate way to warm the soul after a gruelling day at work.
Orzo is a fantastic ingredient when you're craving pasta but don't want to feel bloated after eating. Its rice-like texture is satisfyingly filling and provides a solid source of protein and fibre. What's more, there's considerably less washing up involved. One-pot meals are absolutely the way forward, especially when you're living solo.
Jess's recipe has had me firmly in its grip for well over a year, and it's one I can always count on to carry me through the week. Don't hesitate to get creative and make this dish truly your own.
Harissa, Butter Bean, and Red Pepper Orzo Recipe
Ingredients:
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying
- One red onion, finely chopped
- Two medium red peppers, finely chopped
- Five garlic cloves, grated
- 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
- 1.5 tbsp tomato purée
- One tbsp harissa paste
- ½ tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 150g orzo
- 400g tin of butter beans, drained and rinsed
- Large handful each of chopped basil and parsley
- Large handful of cavolo nero
- One tsp grated lemon zest
- Feta, crumbled, to serve (optional)
Method:
- Heat a splash of oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Fry the onion, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes for a few minutes.
- Add the tomato purée, harissa, chilli flakes (if using), and a pinch each of sea salt and ground black pepper, and stir thoroughly.
- Pour in the stock, together with the orzo and beans. Add the basil, parsley, cavolo nero, and lemon zest, and give everything a good stir.
- Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring to stop the orzo from sticking. Serve as it is or with crumbled feta scattered on top.
