Meatballs Orzo Recipes

MEATBALLS WITH ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Line a large baking sheet with cling film, then put all the ingredients for the meatballs into a large bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands. Don't overmix, as it will make the meatballs dense-textured and heavy. 2. Pinch out pieces of this mixture and roll between the palms of your hand to form meatballs that are somewhere between a cherry tomato and a walnut in size, putting them on your lined tray as you go. You should get about 30 meatballs. 3. Fill a measuring jug with 1 litre of cold water and put near the hob. 4. Heat the oil in a heavy-based casserole or pan that comes with a lid and is large enough to take the meatballs and pasta, too. Cook the chopped onion over a medium heat, stirring every now and again, for about 10 minutes, or until completely softened, then stir in the parsley and oregano and cook, stirring for a minute or so before adding the vermouth. Let this bubble up for a minute and then tip in the tomatoes. Half-fill the empty tins with water from the jug you have at the ready, give them a good swill, and pour into the pan, along with the rest of the water and the salt. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down, clamp on the lid and leave to simmer gently for 10 minutes. 5. Uncover the pan and drop the meatballs gently into the simmering sauce. I try to let these fall in concentric circles, working around the pan from the outside edge inwards, but this is more habit than necessity. Bring it back up to the boil, then turn the heat down again, put the lid back on and simmer the meatballs for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, tip in the orzo, stir gently and turn up the heat to bring back to a bubble. Cook at a robust simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked. You will have to give the odd gentle stir throughout this time to make sure the orzo isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan. 6. Serve in shallow bowls, sprinkled with parsley, and with Parmesan on the table alongside.

MEATBALL ORZO ONE DISH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, broccoli rabe, hot pepper flakes, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the broccoli rabe is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the broccoli rabe to a plate.
• Return the pot to medium high heat, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil, and then add the onions. Saute the onions for 2 minutes, then add the orzo. Cook, stirring frequently until the orzo turns lightly golden and is coated with the oil, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and the frozen meatballs, stir, cover and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to keep the liquid at a simmer, partially cover the pot, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meatballs are cooked through and the orzo is tender and has absorbed almost all of the liquid. Stir in the cooked broccoli rabe and the Parmesan, and serve hot, with extra Parmesan on the side for sprinkling.

PARMESAN ORZO AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook stir-fry vegetables and dressing over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Stir in broth; heat to boiling. Stir in pasta and meatballs. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in tomato. Cover; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and pasta is tender. Stir in parsley. Sprinkle with cheese.

ITALIAN MEATBALLS WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Chop half the basil leaves and reserve the rest for serving. Mix the chopped basil with the mince, garlic and oregano. Season and roll into 20-24 meatballs.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a fairly high heat and brown the meatballs all over for 5-6 mins. Stir in the passata and bring to the boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook for another 10 mins.
• Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the orzo following pack instructions. Once cooked, drain and spoon onto a serving platter or individual plates. Top with the meatballs, then shave over the Parmesan and scatter with the reserved basil leaves.

MEATBALLS & ORZO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onions in olive oil until tender.
• Add beef broth, bring to a boil.
• Stir in orzo, meatballs and tomatoes, return to a boil.
• Cover & reduce to medium heat. Simmer for about 8 minutes.
• Serve in bowls, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese ontop if desired.

BAKED TURKEY AND SPINACH MEATBALLS WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425˚ F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine half of the spinach, the onion and garlic in a food processor; pulse to make a coarse paste. Transfer all but 1/4 cup of the paste to a large bowl.
• Add the turkey, panko, egg and 1/4 cup Parmesan to the bowl. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and mix to combine. Form into 12 meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
• Bake the meatballs until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and broil the meatballs until browned on top, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the orzo and artichokes and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved 1/4 cup spinach paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; stir to coat the orzo. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the broth is absorbed and the orzo is saucy but still al dente, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and the remaining spinach; bring to a simmer, uncovered. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts but is still bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Divide the orzo among shallow bowls. Top with the meatballs.

PHEASANT MEATBALLS WITH ORZO

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, put the shallot, garlic and pheasant into a blender and process until finely chopped. Add the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and juice, yogurt and egg and blitz once more, until the mixture is clumping together, then tip into a bowl. Add the pistachios and parsley, stir well and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Oil your hands and roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Put in the fridge to chill.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. In a heavy-bottomed, non-stick frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil and rosemary, and stir to infuse the oil, then add the meatballs and fry for 4-5 mins, turning them carefully to brown all over. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, retaining the rosemary oil, and transfer the meatballs to a roasting tin. Put them in the oven for 10 mins to heat through while you cook the pasta.
• Cook the orzo following pack instructions, and drain when al dente, reserving some of the water. Remove the sprigs of rosemary from the olive oil in the frying pan and tip in the pasta along with the spinach, stirring to coat in the infused oil. Warm gently over a low heat then stir in the crème fraîche and Parmesan, plus a little pasta water (or stock, if you have it). Season and divide between plates, topping with the meatballs. Serve with extra Parmesan, if you like.