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Orzo with Bacon and Peas is an easy one pot pasta recipe. Creamy pasta, smoky bacon, and sweet peas come together quickly in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner recipe.

I try to be a hard worker. Really I do. I make lists compulsively with the most amazing of intentions to accomplish a million awesome things. But then I get tired and all my motivation goes out the window and I want what I want when I want it, and what I usually want is to take a nap. There’s something to be said for fulfilling simple needs exactly in the moment. Deferred gratification can suck it.

Orzo with Bacon and Peas is a quick and simple dish that delivers creamy comfort in a heartbeat. There’s not a lot of waiting around or a lot of effort. We fry up some bacon, stir in some peas and rice shaped pasta, add some boiling water, and chill out for about ten minutes. Then stir in some butter and cheese, and feed yourself.

And in case you were wondering, no I didn’t actually eat the peas. Sorry, mom.

You want what you want when you want it, and sometimes that’s absolutely fine, especially when it comes to Orzo with Bacon and Peas. Do it!

Looking for more easy weeknight pasta dishes? Try this Easy Garlic Mac & Cheese.

Orzo with Bacon and Peas

Orzo with Bacon and Peas is a quick and simple dish that delivers creamy comfort in a heartbeat.

Author: Renee Rendall
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 10
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
6 ounces bacon, chopped
1–1/4 cups frozen peas
8 ounces orzo
2–1/2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the whole garlic clove to infuse your pasta with a gentle hint of garlic.
Add bacon pieces, and cook until crispy. If you have a large amount of grease, pour some of it off until you have just a few tablespoons left in the pan.
Add in the peas and stir them to coat in the bacon grease. Cook for about a minute until they’ve lost their frozen look.
Add the pasta to the pan and stir it all up to get that bacon grease everywhere. Add in the boiling water, and simmer until the pasta is cooked and the water has been mostly absorbed. You’ll want to stir occasionally to make sure nothing sticks.
Turn off the heat and stir in the butter and cheese. Adjust seasonings and serve for instant gratification.