You know what’s better than a regular ol’ bowl of pasta? A rich, creamy orzo loaded with buttery goodness, topped with flavor packed pasture raised pork meatballs laced with pesto. The meatballs are seared until golden, then gently baked until tender and juicy. And that orzo? Think risotto but without all the stirring — just velvety, garlicky, cheesy perfection. This dish is hearty, balanced, and majorly delicious. Let's get cooking!

INGREDIENTS

For the Meatballs –

• 1 lb. ground pork 
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese, freshly grated
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil, for searing the meatballs

For the Orzo Pasta – 

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 2 cups dry orzo pasta
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese, more for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, combine ground pork, egg, panko, grated cheese, pesto, chili flakes, and salt. Mix gently with 2 forks until just combined—don’t overwork the meat. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 145°F.

While the meatballs bake, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in the dry orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, add a pinch or two of salt, and bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes).

Reduce heat to low and stir in mascarpone and grated parm until creamy and smooth. 

Spoon the creamy orzo onto plates, top with pesto meatballs, and garnish with extra parmesan and chili flakes.

We hope you enjoy this recipe! If you’d like to share your delicious dish on Instagram, don’t forget to tag us @1915_Farm

P.S. If you love our pasture raised pork – consider subscribing to the Grassroots Meat Club (ships free in TX, reduced in other states). Each box includes a variety of hand-selected grassfed and pasture raised meats, such as chicken breasts, chicken tenders, leg quarters, wings, thighs, drumsticks, whole chicken, ground beef, kabobs, stew meat, stir fry, cutlets, London broil (top round), beef roasts, beef ossobuco, short ribs, various sausages, pork roasts, pork chops, bacon, ground pork, fajita meat, country style ribs, spare ribs, and bacon!

Recipe by Rachel Halldorson