Honeymooners Casserole–orzo, vegetables and meatballs made quickly in your Instant Pot.
Honeymooners Casserole
Today’s recipe is a spin off of my wedding soup so I named it honeymooners casserole 😉 You’re going to love this one pot meal with orzo, spinach, carrots, and frozen meatballs (for sake of ease). It only has a 1 minute pressure cooking time and has great flavor made with common ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil–or another type or oil
- Onion–yellow, white
- Celery
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Basil
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
- Orzo
- Onion soup mix
- Ketchup
- Carrots
- Italian style meatballs
- Spinach
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onion and celery and saute for 4 minutes.
Pour in the broth and scrape the bottom of the pot so that nothing is sticking.
Add half of the meatballs to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Sprinkle in the basil, thyme, garlic powder, orzo, onion soup mix, ketchup and carrots. Add the rest of the meatballs on top.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute on high pressure. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir in the spinach.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with caprese skewers, bruschetta, focaccia bread, caesar salad or roasted vegetables.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with carrots are road rage casserole and carolina casserole.
- Can I use homemade meatballs in this recipe? Yes you can but I would pre-cook them first.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Honeymooners Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Orzo, vegetables and meatballs made quickly in your Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 ribs of celery, diced or sliced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp basil
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 ounces orzo
- 1 Tbsp onion soup mix
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (20 oz) package of Italian style meatballs
- 2 cups chopped spinach
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onion and celery and saute for 4 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and scrape the bottom of the pot so that nothing is sticking.
- Add half of the meatballs to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the basil, thyme, garlic powder, orzo, onion soup mix, ketchup and carrots. Add the rest of the meatballs on top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute on high pressure. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the spinach. Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
More Instant Pot recipes with orzo…
Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Orzo Soup
A creamy chicken soup with orzo and green chiles. It’s got cream cheese and avocados for creaminess and lots of flavor from diced green chiles and salsa verde. An easy dump and go recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Parmesan Orzo
A one pot meal with chicken, pasta, tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cheese.
Instant Pot Garlic Chicken Sausage Orzo
Orzo pasta with a tangy dijon-balsamic sauce, chicken smoked sausage, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and parmesan cheese. Loads of flavor and an all in one pot dinner!
Instant Pot Chicken Orzo Soup
A brothy chicken soup with orzo pasta and a splash of lemon juice.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Thanks for the reply! I made this tonight and it was a hit. I have 2 picky eaters and they loved it. I didn’t have to double it and it was perfect with my homemade meatballs! Thank you so much for an awesome recipe. If you’re thinking about making this, do it you won’t be disappointed!
So great to hear it worked well for you Pamela! Thank you for the 5 stars.
I’m making fresh cooked meatballs. I’m not freezing them so am I natural releasing them for less time or not at all? If less time, how much less please? Have you ever doubled the broth and pasta?
If the meatballs are already cooked I would use the same instructions as listed in the recipe card. I haven’t tried doubling but I think it would work out fine!
This one was excellent – even picky meat and potato farm boy gave it a two thumbs up.
Yay! Thanks for the 5 stars Renee
Hi Karen, can you recommend good store bought Italian meatballs brand? The ones I’ve tried have so much bread crumbs/filler. Thanks 😉
honestly I just used the italian meatballs that were the smiths brand (kroger stores)
Thank you!
I assume the meatballs are cooked and frozen. Is that true?
I was wondering the same. I cook frozen ones in 4 minutes, so maybe not with the natural release!
yes that is correct
Can I make in dutch oven or crock pot?
I haven’t tried this in the crockpot but you certainly could give it a shot! I would saute the celery and onions on the stove and then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours.