Sun-dried tomato & squash orzo

Sun-dried tomato & squash orzo

Turn up the sunshine with this roasted butternut squash and red pepper sensation, made extra sun-kissed with a squeeze of our special sun-dried tomato paste. Add spicy chilli and orzo pasta and you can practically feel those rays on your face!

SWK: Source of fibre Plants 4 SWK: Source of protein highly rated

Serving size

Cook time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Wheat, Celery

Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Get the veg in the oven

  • Heat your oven to 220ºC/fan 200ºC/gas 7/air fryer 190ºC.
  • Peel and halve the squash lengthways, discard the seeds and cut into 2cm cubes. Deseed the peppers and dice into 3cm squares.
  • Spread out the squash and peppers on a baking tray lined with baking paper (or scatter into the air-fryer basket) and spritz with cooking spray. Roast for 25-30 mins (air-fry for 20-25 mins).

Prep & sizzle

  • Meanwhile, peel and finely dice the onions, then peel and crush the garlic. Finely chop the basil leaves.
  • Spritz a large non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and put it over a medium-high heat. Fry the onions for 5 mins, then add the garlic and chilli flakes (to taste) and cook for 2 mins.

Boost the flavour!

  • Squeeze the tomato paste and passata into the pan and cook for 1 min.
  • Crumble in the stock, pour in 150ml water (250ml for 4 portions), stir well and simmer for 5 mins.

Cook the orzo

  • At the same time, cook the orzo in boiling water for 7-8 mins, then drain.

Finish & serve

  • Mix the orzo into the sauce along with half the basil, then top with the roasted veg and remaining basil.

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