A tasty one pot meal made from orzo, smoked salmon and peas cooked in a creamy sauce flavoured with lemon, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and chilli.
It's no secret that I love one pot meals - I have a whole One Pot Meals category on my website! They're easy to make, super tasty because all the flavours stay in the one pot but best of all - they're quick to clean up!
This One Pot Creamy Salmon Orzo is no exception. The orzo cooks in the pan in a sauce made from vegetable stock, thickened with sour cream and flavoured with garlic, lemon, chilli and sun-dried tomatoes. These flavours go so well with the salty salmon and fresh-tasting green peas.
For another sensational meal, try our One Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo as well.
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Ingredient notes:
- Orzo: Orzo (which is sometimes referred to as risoni) is a type of pasta that looks like large grains of rice. It cooks quickly which makes it perfect for a one pot.
- Smoked salmon: I just love smoked salmon and the flavours of this dish really compliment each other. If you don't like it, you could swap it for bacon or cooked chicken.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a lovely depth of flavour to any pasta meal.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.
Step by step instructions:
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the garlic, chilli flakes (if using), and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring for one minute. Add the orzo to the pan and cook, stirring for two minutes until coated.
Dissolve the vegetable stock cubes in the boiling water, then add to the pan. Stir to deglaze the pan. Cook, stirring for 5 to 10 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is almost cooked.
Chop the smoked salmon into small pieces (about 1 cm x 1 cm) and add them to the pan along with the thawed peas. Stir to combine. Add the sour cream, parmesan, lemon zest and juice to the pan.
Stir everything together until well combined and creamy. Season well with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Recipe FAQs:
If you or one of your family don't like salmon you could also use pieces of grilled bacon, or pieces of cooked chicken.
No it's not. Orzo is a wheat based pasta. If you can find gluten free orzo you could use that instead - although it might be a specialty item.
Storage:
This meal is best eaten on the day it is made. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until piping hot.
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One Pot Creamy Salmon Orzo
A tasty one-pot orzo meal filled with smoked salmon, peas and sun-dried tomatoes, flavoured with garlic, lemon, chilli, parmesan and vegetable stock.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups orzo (risoni)
- 2 vegetable stock cubes
- 2 ½ cups boiling water
- 200g smoked salmon slices
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas, thawed
- 200g lite sour cream
- 30g parmesan, grated
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- Fresh parsley, to serve
Instructions
- Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the garlic, chilli flakes (if using), and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring for one minute.
- Add the orzo to the pan and cook, stirring for two minutes until coated.
- Dissolve the vegetable stock cubes in the boiling water, then add to the pan. Stir to deglaze the pan.
- Cook, stirring for 5 to 10 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is almost cooked.
- Chop the smoked salmon into small pieces (about 1 cm x 1 cm) and add them to the pan along with the thawed peas. Stir to combine.
- Add the sour cream, parmesan, lemon zest and juice to the pan. Stir everything together until well combined and creamy. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 1597mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 4gSugar: 12gProtein: 23g
Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.
Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya
Valerie Bolton says
Hi there, can the One Pot Creamy Salmon be made ahead of time before serving..
VJ cooks says
It can. In my opinion it's at it's best when served immediately, however it will still taste yummy later on.
JenW says
Quick, very easy & tasty. Made enough for tomorrow’s dinner & will make again.
VJ cooks says
So pleased to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Bex W says
Could you use hot smoked salmon instead?
VJ cooks says
Yes, that would be delicious.
Vanessa says
I did your cooking challenge few weeks back and accidentally deleted the recipe for one pot chicken orzo. Can I use this recipe but change salmon to chicken? Can't find the recipe anywhere
VJ cooks says
Hi Vanessa, that recipe isn't on the website (yet) but we've just emailed you a copy of the challenge book!