A creamy salmon risoni / orzo – on the table in just 15 minutes. A real crowd pleaser – one for the kids and the grown ups!
Can you believe that you can make this Creamy Salmon Risoni in just 15 minutes? You really can. Leisurely too, not frantic manic cooking. My one condition is that you have all the ingredients out on the bench, ready for chopping, measuring etc. Because I can’t be accountable for how long it takes you to rummage around in your pantry to dig out a packet of risoni! 😂
This is a recipe from this month’s Super Food Ideas magazine, Australia’s top selling food magazine which just hit the stands. I feel very honoured that every month, I have a spread in the magazine and this month, the theme is 15 Minute Meals. Right up my alley! I love a challenge. I’ve done a whole heap of 15 Minute Meals here on RecipeTin Eats and I was keen to share more with Super Food Ideas readers!
Here’s the spread from this month! WOO HOO! Check it out – I got a little mention on the COVER this month! 🙊
The recipes included in the above feature in addition to this Creamy Salmon Risoni are as follows (starting top left):
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Moroccan Lamb with Chickpea Couscous – You know I hate to play favorites….but to think that you can create a platter of food like this in just 15 minutes is just so cool, isn’t it??
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Greek Chicken – Loaded with yummy Greek flavours in a tomato sauce studded with olives and finished with a sprinkle of feta. Makes my mouth water just describing it!
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Chorizo Kale and Bean Soup – Kale doesn’t make much of an appearance around here because I’m not into “super foods” for the sake of it. But I think it’s a perfect match for this soup!
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Shortcut Veal Schnitzel – YES you can make schnitzel without deep frying, with all the flavour and most of the crunch (and 5% of the mess too!). 🙂
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Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo – that’s this recipe I’m sharing on my blog. Sorry guys, I’m only allowed to share one!
For this recipe, I use a store bought hot smoked salmon. Yes, it’s a bit of a cheat shortcut but I’m yet to master smoking fish myself at home and hot smoked salmon is so handy to have in the fridge because it lasts for ages and ages!
You can use ordinary salmon, but I really love the extra flavour edge that hot smoked salmon adds to this. It takes it from yum to super delish.
This recipe is for all those who come home after a long day and want to serve up a nutritious tasty meal for their family without spending ages in the kitchen. The beauty of this risoni is that you can swap out the salmon for any other proteins and up the nutrition with extra veggies – and I’ve provided notes in the recipe for suggestions.
But I kept this very simple because….well, it was part of a 15 minute meals feature! – Nagi x
More risoni / orzo recipes
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One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo / Risoni Pasta – cosy, saucy one pot chicken and risoni dinner
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Orzo / Risoni Bolognaise – one pot bolognese pasta dish!
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Greek Lemon Orzo Salad – a bright fresh pasta salad loaded with Greek flavours
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Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot) – tastes like a creamy mushroom risotto
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Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (Risoni) – Greek chicken AND orzo made in one pot!
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One Pot Creamy Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni) – creamy chicken and vegetable orzo, a quick 20 minute meal
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Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo / Risoni – a wonderful quick side dish
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Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal)
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz / 40g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 onion , diced (brown, white, yellow)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 2 cups milk (light or full fat)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth / stock
- 1 1/2 cups dried risoni / orzo (Note 1)
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 6 oz / 185 g hot-smoked salmon , flaked into large chunks using 2 forks
- Parsley , chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter in a deep skillet or pot over medium high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes until translucent.
- Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Switch to a whisk and add half the milk. Whisk to dissolve the pasty onion mixture into the milk (about 20 seconds). Then add remaining milk, chicken broth, risoni and peas.
- Bring to simmer then turn heat down to medium so it bubbles gently. Cook for 5 minutes - stir occasionally for the first half then more frequently during the second half.
- At 5 minutes, take it off the stove - it will still be quite saucy (see video) but will reduce in the next steps and while serving.
- Stir through parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Then gently stir through salmon.
- Serve immediately, sprinkled with parsley leaves if desired.
Recipe Notes:

Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hi, could this be served cold at a picnic?
Love your recipes Nagi 🙂
I made this with red salmon we caught this summer here in Alaska. This dish was easy to make and totally delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
Made this for dinner tonight, delicious, a keeper for sure, thanks Nagi.😊
Hi, could you use canned salmon for this
if i want to try this recipe but don’t have risoni/orzo what can i use to substitute it? can i use normal pasta or rice! THANK YOU! loving your recipes! they are so easy even for an amateur cook like me 🙂
Where is Dozer?
This is one of my older recipes – he’s not featured on this page. 😂
Ah ok! I was worried for a bit! Amazing recipes and website btw. I do make your recipes but more often, I’m just here for Dozer 😉
Delicious!! Definitely making this again!
Awesome Ryan! N x
Excellent recipe! You have a magic touch to the perfect dish.
Hi. Going to try this tomorrow. Instead of orzo could I use risotto? If so, will the time be the same? Thank you!
Oops, forgot to rate it!!
Thanks Carol! N x
We absolutely love this recipe Nagi, especially my father-in-law!!! I am keen to buy the Chasseur Sauté Pan, what size is it please? I love all your recipes and am cooking your creamy lemon chicken for my son and grandchildren tonight.
Hi Carol, thanks so much for the great feedback!! The size of the pan will depend on you and the uses really – how many people you’re cooking for and what you intend to cook in it – N x
Thanks Nagi, I like the size of the pan you use. Now there’s no travelling for us I might as well buy a pan like yours! 😉😁
I follow you on Instagram and LOVE all your recipes!!! I love all things smoked salmon, do you think I can substitute with dairy free milk?
Yes of course Saima!! N x
Loved this, quick and so very tasty. I didn’t have any parmesan so mixed through a few big chunks of goats cheese and it was beautiful. Thanks Nagi!
I just love this recipe- usually make it Sunday night and husband loves it too
That’s awesome Bronwyn!
I made this last night with canned salmon. Wow, yet another stellar recipe! Tasted like a dish I would be served at a Michelin restaurant. Your recipes never disappoint.
Congrats on the magazine article, you certainly deserve it!
Great for post election blues meal
haha love it!
Made last night for dinner. Went down a treat. Added fresh dill at the end. This is a keeper and so quick. Thanks again Nagi.
I’m so glad you loved it Jackie!
Lovely! Excellent directions, especially the point that the sauce will be runny. It all came together at the end perfectly. I added a tablespoon of chicken bouillon for flavor and tablespoon of dried chives. A squeeze of lemon at service added a bright finish.
Sounds delish Leslie 🙌
Hi Nagi.
Found your recipe when I was surfing the web to find recipes for risoni dishes. And can I say, this was amazing! And in such short amount of cooking time, wowza! At the dinner table, with the first taste we both said “this reminds me of that delicious fish risotto we got in Lake Como Italy e few years ago”, even if it’s pasta and not rice. Our 1 year old baby girl ate this without a frown. The recipe is already shared with my neighbor, and we will make this again, for sure. So thanks a lot, up next is your one pot saucy mac and cheese. Keep up the good work and beautiful pictures 🙂
Love from Norway.
Can you freeze leftovers and thaw later for small meals? If so, how do I thaw after freezing, please?
Hi Essie! I would thaw overnight in the fridge then microwave to reheat 🙂 I think heating from frozen will be a bit tricky. N xx
I always use your recipes! They are the best! Since spending 6 weeks in Thailand and coming back to the uk ive missed the interesting flavours of thai food. As soon as i cooked one of your thai recipes iwas amazed (my kitchen smelt like thailand lol!) since then ive tried all different kinds of your recipes. This one was tasty! Very nice me and my fiancé loved it. Surprised by the strong cheesy flavour! We used prawns, as hot smoked salmon doesnt appear to be available in uk supermarkets but i bet with salmon it would taste even better. Next time i will used tinned salmon.
I’m so pleased you are enjoying my recipes Shivy! Especially the Thai ones 🙂 I am obsessed with thai food!! Have you tried the Thai chicken recipes?? They are very authentic, and you should be able to get all the ingredients in the UK! N xx