Cheesy Fajita Orzotto
This spicy, one pot dish has all of the flavours of fajitas in one risotto-like, indulgent dish.
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories468
- Carbs48g
- Protein42g
- Fat10g
- Saturates5g
- Sugars8.8g
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
This recipe came about when we were thinking about making a spicy pasta bake that was packed full of fajita flavours. Experimenting with orzo instead of larger pasta shapes helped to transform this dish from a pasta bake to a risotto-like bowl of creamy, indulgent deliciousness!
We’ve used turkey mince in our Cheesy Fajita Orzotto, but it would also work really well with pork mince instead if you’d prefer. Love your food with a fiery, spicy kick? Add some chilli flakes alongside the other herbs and spices to liven things up!
We think that this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto works really well served with lettuce wraps – simply separate a couple of little gem lettuces into individual leaves, rinse them and then fill them up with your creamy orzo!
What diets is this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto suitable for?
This recipe can be made suitable for vegetarian diets as long as you use vegetarian alternatives for the following ingredients:
- Chicken stock cube
- Turkey mince
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
How Weight Watchers friendly is this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto recipe?
- You need to count 10 Points per portion of this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto recipe if you’re on WW Green.
- You need to count 9 Points per portion of this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto recipe if you’re on WW Blue.
- You need to count 9 Points per portion of this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto recipe if you’re on WW Purple.
Do you need any special ingredients to make this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto?
If you haven’t heard of orzo before, it’s basically a type of pasta that looks a bit like rice! You should be able to pick it up in your local supermarket in the pasta aisle!
How many calories are in this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto?
There are 468 calories per portion in this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto, which means it falls into our Weekly Indulgence category.
This Cheesy Fajita Orzotto is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray a casserole pan with low calorie cooking spray, and fry the turkey mince, onions and peppers over a medium to high heat for 5-6 minutes, until the mince is opaque and the onions soft.
Step 2
Add the garlic granules and fajita seasoning and stir well.
Step 3
Stir in the tomato puree and allow to cook for a minute, then stir the stock into the water add to the pan and bring to the boil.
Step 4
Add the orzo to the pan and stir well, ensuring the pasta is covered by the stock.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes stirring every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan.
Step 6
When the orzo is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, uncover and stir in the lemon juice and coriander.
Step 7
If there is still excess liquid, cook for a few minutes without the lid on – you want a consistency similar to a risotto. Then stir in the cheese, until it’s melted.
Step 8
Sprinkle the top with some sliced spring onions and serve!
What could I serve with this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto?
We love this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto served with a crisp mixed salad, but any of the following would also work really well!
How do you know when this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto is cooked?
You’ll need to cook your Cheesy Fajita Orzotto until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has disappeared. This should take between 15 – 20 minutes.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Portion individually and freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with a loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes or until piping hot. You may need to add a tablespoon of water to the pasta when you reheat it as freezing can sometimes dry the pasta out!
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Cheesy Fajita Orzotto
This spicy, one pot dish has all of the flavours of fajitas in one risotto-like, indulgent dish.
-
Prep Time
10 MINS
-
Cook Time
25 MINS
- KCals 468
- Carbs 48G
- WW Points:
- 10 Green
- 9 Blue
- 9 Purple
Instructions
- Spray a casserole pan with low calorie cooking spray, and fry the turkey mince, onions and peppers over a medium to high heat for 5-6 minutes, until the mince is opaque and the onions soft.
- Add the garlic granules and fajita seasoning and stir well.
- Stir in the tomato puree and allow to cook for a minute, then stir the stock into the water add to the pan and bring to the boil.
- Add the orzo to the pan and stir well, ensuring the pasta is covered by the stock.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes stirring every few minutes to make sure it doesn't catch on the bottom of the pan.
- When the orzo is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, uncover and stir in the lemon juice and coriander.
- If there is still excess liquid, cook for a few minutes without the lid on - you want a consistency similar to a risotto. Then stir in the cheese, until it's melted.
- Sprinkle the top with some sliced spring onions and serve!
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46 comments
See what others have to say
AnniewWednesday 28th April 2021
Hi I have friends round and wanted to make this however one is vegetarian, I was wondering what I could substitute for the turkey mince, would halloumi work or is it best to use a meat substitute
HollyWednesday 28th April 2021
Hi Anniew, a vegetarian meat alternative would work great and sliced or diced halloumi would be great to just fry it a little before adding to the orzotto. Hope that helps!
SachaSunday 25th April 2021
Made this the other week but didn’t have orzo, so I used macaroni. It worked well too. Still nice and creamy and cheesy
HollyTuesday 27th April 2021
Hey Sacha, so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe and thanks so much for your recipe tips!
BexMonday 5th April 2021
What book is this in?
HollyTuesday 6th April 2021
Hey Bex, the Cheesy Fajita Orzotto doesn’t feature in any of our books and is exclusive to the website, hope that helps!
Amy BroganSunday 17th January 2021
Made this tonight and it was a hit with all the family!
HollyMonday 18th January 2021
Hey Amy, so glad you enjoyed the Cheesy Fajita Orzotto!
LouiseSaturday 2nd January 2021
Would it be okay to use chicken mince instead of turkey? I live in the Netherlands and turkey is really tricky to find in the supermarkets here compared to the UK. Thank you!
LisaSaturday 2nd January 2021
Hi Louise
Yes, chicken mince will work well in this recipe. You could also try pork or even beef mince if you prefer. Hope you enjoy it!
Nicola AshbrookThursday 31st December 2020
Hi,
I am planning to make this next week.
Could I use paella rice or risotto rice instead? Or would you say orzo is the one to use?
Many thanks
Nicki
LisaThursday 31st December 2020
Hi Nicola
Orzo is a small pasta shape, so you’ll get a different sort of dish if you use actual rice. It sounds like it would be tasty, but you might need to tweak the recipe, cooking times and amount of liquid you use to get good results. Let us know how it goes if you decide to try it.
JaneWednesday 30th December 2020
Hello,
Not made this one yet really looking forward to it but was wondering if you can use pasta shapes rather than orzo and if so would you need to cook the pasta first or just add it instead of the orzo?
Thanks 💕
LisaThursday 31st December 2020
Hi Jane
We’ve not tried it with pasta shapes. You would probably have to tweak the cooking times and liquid you use to get best results. Please let us know how you get on if you try it.
RachelMonday 28th December 2020
This looks delicious, can this be cooked pretty much the same way as risotto using an instant pot? TIA
LisaMonday 28th December 2020
Hi Rachel
You should be able to cook this in a pressure cooker, but we’ve never tried it ourselves, so can’t guarantee the results until we have tested it ourselves. We do have a guide to Instant Pots on the website which might be helpful. If you decide to try it, remember that orzo is a very small, rice shaped pasta and may have a different cooking time than actual rice. Sorry we can’t give you definitive answer, but we’ll put this on our list for testing.
https://pinchofnom.com/what-can-i-cook-in-an-instant-pot/
JulieSunday 6th December 2020
Made this twice now, it’s absolutely gorgeous 😊
LisaMonday 7th December 2020
Thank you for letting us know, Julie! Glad you enjoyed it.
LisaSunday 6th December 2020
Struggling to get orzo. Can anybody recommend a substitute please?
LisaMonday 7th December 2020
Hi Lisa
We haven’t tried it ourselves, but you could, at a push, use small pasta shapes, such as macaroni instead. It will change the texture of the dish quite a bit, and one of the things we love about this dish is the creamy texture.
Orzo is generally available in most supermarkets in the pasta aisle.
Hope this helps
Alison WilliamsMonday 23rd November 2020
Made this today and it was beautiful, but if like.me you realise after you start making it that you don’t have fajita seasoning. You can make your own… 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic granuels 1tsp cumin 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/4 TSP black pepper 1 tsp salt. Hope this helps.
HollyTuesday 24th November 2020
Hi Alison, thanks so much for your message that is a great tip for everyone!
Heather HoganSunday 22nd November 2020
I don’t like bell peppers, could I leave them out, or substitute with something else, and if so what would you recommend?
HollyTuesday 24th November 2020
Hi Heather, you could substitute the peppers for some diced courgette. Hope that helps!
Eleanor HargreavesTuesday 17th November 2020
Hi made this tonight and loved it! Could I eat the left overs cold for lunch the next day?
HollyThursday 19th November 2020
Hi Eleanor, so glad you enjoyed the Cheesy Fajita Orzotto! You could eat any leftovers cold or reheat from chilled in a microwave for 4-7 minutes until piping hot. Hope that helps!
JustineMonday 16th November 2020
Wanting to try this with mince – could I ask if I should still use chicken stock or would you recommend I change it to beef stock? Many thanks
HollyThursday 19th November 2020
Hi Justine, beef mince will work fine as a substitute for the turkey mince in this recipe and would be fine with chicken or beef stock. Hope that helps!
JoannaMonday 16th November 2020
Sorry I’ve looked and looked but can’t see how much cheese is used in the recipe. Please advise?
HollyMonday 16th November 2020
Hi Joanna, it’s 120g reduced fat Cheddar cheese grated. Hope that helps!
ClareyMonday 16th November 2020
Looking forward to making this, quick question, how much cheese?
HollyMonday 16th November 2020
Hi Clarey, it’s 120g reduced fat Cheddar cheese grated. Hope that helps!
SarahSunday 8th November 2020
What spices make up the fajita spice mix?
Thanks
HollyMonday 16th November 2020
Hi Sarah, for this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto we have used a pre made fajita spice mix available in most supermarkets. Hope that helps!
Nadine elliottSunday 8th November 2020
For the fajita seasoning what herbs and spices do I need to make my own?
HollyTuesday 24th November 2020
Hey Nadine, someone has wrote into us with a tip for making your own fajita seasoning for this recipe we have not tried it ourselves but she has suggested: 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic granules 1tsp cumin 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/4 TSP black pepper 1 tsp salt. Hope that helps!
Melanie-Louise CravenSaturday 7th November 2020
Can you use minced beef instead of turkey ?
SharonFriday 13th November 2020
Hi Melanie- Louise,
Yes, you could use minced beef in this recipe if you prefer. Minced pork would also work well. Thanks for your question and hope you enjoy making this recipe.
Hannah MargerisonThursday 5th November 2020
OMG this was so much better than it looked!
I did add a little more cheese because I love cheese but I’d definitely make it again!
The only problem is when I changed the ingredients for 2 it still said used 600ml of water so I had to drain mine so be aware to use 300ml water for 2 people!
HollyMonday 16th November 2020
Hey Hannah, sorry about that I’ve now altered this so that the water is listed separately so that when the serving sizes are altered the water will alter too. Thanks for your message.
Saffron MacivorSunday 28th March 2021
The water is not changing and stays at 600ml?
HollyMonday 29th March 2021
Hey Saffron, If you use the arrows next to serving size this alters the amount of each ingredient including the water when you increase or decrease the serving size, hope that helps!
Amanda ShannonThursday 5th November 2020
Made this tonight, everyone loved it
Used a wrap to do tortilla chips to accompany
Would definitely make again, added to favourites
SharonFriday 6th November 2020
Hi Amanda,
We’re really pleased to hear you all loved this recipe and you’ve added it to your favourites. Making tortilla chips to go with it sounds good!
Jo HodsonTuesday 3rd November 2020
I wasn’t convinced as I was cooking this as mine didn’t have as much colour (plus no coriander) but it was really lovely and the children ate the lot. Will definitely make it again and add some chilli flakes too
LisaWednesday 4th November 2020
Hi Jo!
The difference in colour is probably down to different brands of stock and fajita seasoning. They can vary quite a bit in colour. Really glad you all enjoyed it though!
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