One-Pot Turkey and Pea Orzo Recipe for Quick Weeknight Meals

This easy one-pot orzo with turkey and peas is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ground turkey simmers in a tomato-based sauce with orzo, peas, and parmesan for a comforting meal the whole family will enjoy.

Why you’ll love this turkey orzo recipe

• Ready in about 30 minutes, ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
• Rich flavor from passata, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
• Mostly pantry and freezer ingredients so it’s easy to pull together last minute.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Olive oil (or another neutral oil)
• 1 lb ground turkey (substitute ground chicken, pork, or beef if you prefer)
• ½ onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 cup orzo
• ½ tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1½ cups turkey or chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 600 mL passata (about one jar)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ¼–½ cup freshly grated parmesan, more for serving

How to make this one-pot orzo

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook briefly, breaking it up with a spatula. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 1–2 minutes more.
• Stir in the minced garlic, orzo, salt, and pepper, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the broth and passata, then stir in the Italian seasoning.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes or until the orzo is nearly tender.
• Add the frozen peas and parmesan, stirring until well combined and the peas are cooked through. If the sauce seems thin, simmer a few more minutes or stir in more parmesan to thicken.
• Serve topped with extra parmesan and optional fresh basil ribbons.

Recipe variations

• Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
• Replace peas with another quick-cooking vegetable like frozen corn.
• Use ground chicken, pork, or beef instead of turkey.
• Swap turkey broth for chicken or vegetable broth.
• Use shallots in place of onions for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Tips and notes

• The sauce will thicken as it cools, so aim for a slightly looser texture in the pan.
• Dice onions finely so they soften quickly while cooking.
• Freshly grated parmesan melts better and improves texture; add more to thicken if needed.
• Use a large skillet or a pot with high sides to prevent overflow when adding liquid and stirring.
• Garnish with fresh basil ribbons for brightness and color.

Recipe

More recipes you may like

• One Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
• 4 Ingredient Potato Soup
• Breakfast Skillet
• Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese
• Lemon Ricotta Pasta
• Stuffed Chicken Florentine
• Mozzarella Chicken

Find more on Instagram: @onepotonlyrecipes and on Pinterest: One Pot Only.