Miso Butter Orzo with Chickpeas & Cavolo Nero (One Pot One Portion)
If you’re wanting to start your new year with goodness then you might be in the right place. Not because of fads, restrictions, harsh goals or strict regimes because I won’t be sharing any of that over here. Instead, as always, I want to show you how good food and cooking for one can be. Always delicious, mostly nutritious, and filled with joy from start to finish. So let’s start with a simple supper, my one pot one portion creamy miso butter orzo with chickpeas and cavolo nero. A but of a fridge raid meal if I’m honest, but one that resulted in something lovely.
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Creamy miso butter orzo with chickpeas and cavolo nero is a comforting, single-serve one-pot meal designed for cooking for one. It’s made entirely on the stovetop in a shallow pan, combining orzo pasta, buttery greens, and chickpeas cooked directly in a savoury broth. The flavour profile is rich and savoury with gentle umami from white miso, sharpness from lemon, and a salty finish from pecorino or parmesan. Creamy without cream, this dish delivers cosy depth with minimal ingredients. It’s practical for solo cooks because everything cooks in one pan, portions perfectly, and creates zero awkward leftovers.
Why You’ll Want to Make This Recipe
Single Serve, No Waste
This recipe is carefully portioned for one, using just enough cavolo nero, orzo, and chickpeas to feel generous without excess. No half-used tubs, no leftover pasta sitting sadly in the fridge.
Quick & Comforting
From chopping to serving, this dish comes together in around 25 minutes. The orzo cooks directly in the pan, absorbing flavour as it goes, making this ideal for weeknights when you want something soothing but unfussy.
One Pot, One Portion Cooking
Everything happens in a single shallow pan- greens, pasta, chickpeas, and sauce. That means minimal washing up and maximum payoff, exactly how solo cooking should feel.
Cosy but Fresh
Butter, cheese, and miso bring richness, while lemon juice and optional zest keep the dish balanced and bright. It’s comforting without being heavy.
Eleanor’s Top Tips for the Perfect Creamy Orzo
- Strip cavolo nero leaves from the stems completely- the stems won’t soften enough for this quick-cooking dish
- Chop the leaves fairly small so they melt into the orzo rather than sitting on top
- Use a shallow, wide pan so the orzo cooks evenly and releases starch for a creamy texture
- Stir frequently while the orzo cooks to prevent sticking and encourage silkiness
- Keep the final consistency loose- add a splash more water if it thickens too much
- Add the miso and cheese on very low to prevent splitting
- Taste before seasoning heavily, as miso and cheese both add salt
- Finish with lemon juice last to keep the flavour fresh and balanced
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Essential Ingredients
- Cavolo Nero (3 leaves): Adds earthy bitterness and texture
- Garlic (2 cloves): Builds savoury depth
- Butter (20g): Creates richness and body
- Orzo (80g): The creamy, pasta-like base
- Chickpeas (130g, with liquid): Adds protein and extra silkiness
- Water (350ml): Cooking liquid for the orzo
- White Miso Paste (1 tsp): Brings gentle umami
- Pecorino or Parmesan (40g): Salty, nutty finish
- Lemon Juice (½ lemon): Brightens the dish
- Salt & Black Pepper: To season
To Serve (Optional)
- Ricotta or crème fraîche
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon zest
Essential Tools
- Shallow sauté pan with lid (20–22cm)
- Knife and chopping board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Fine grater (for cheese and zest)
Dietary Variations
Vegetarian
This recipe is fully vegetarian as written.
Vegan
Swap the butter for olive oil or vegan butter, omit the cheese or use a vegan hard cheese, and finish with dairy-free crème fraîche.
Adding Protein
A soft-boiled egg, crispy tofu, or pan-fried mushrooms work well without overpowering the miso.
Different Greens or Flavours
Kale or spring greens can replace cavolo nero. A pinch of chilli flakes or a drizzle of chilli oil adds gentle heat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make this creamy orzo without cheese?
A: Yes. The starch from the orzo and chickpea liquid will still create a creamy texture, especially if you add a little extra miso.
Q: What pan size is best for cooking orzo for one?
A: A shallow 20–22cm pan is ideal, allowing the orzo to cook evenly and release starch.
Q: Can I substitute another pasta for orzo?
A: Small pasta shapes like ditalini work, but cooking times and liquid amounts may vary.
Q: How do I stop orzo from sticking?
A: Stir frequently and keep the heat at a gentle simmer. Add extra water if needed.
Q: Can I reheat leftovers?
A: Yes, add a splash of water and reheat gently on the stove, stirring until loosened.
This creamy miso butter orzo proves that cooking for one can be deeply satisfying — simple ingredients, one pan, and a bowl of something truly comforting made just for you.
Ingredients
3 Leaves of Cavolo Nero
2 Cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
20g Butter
80g Orzo
130g Chickpeas (including juice)
350ml Water
1 Tsp White Miso Paste
40g Pecorino/Parmesan
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
Salt
Black Pepper
To serve
Ricotta or Creme Fraiche
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lemon Zest, optional
Instructions
- Strip the frilly leaves of the cavolo nero from the tough stems then chop the leaves into small 1” strips.
- Place a shallow pan over a medium heat and add the butter, cavolo nero and minced garlic to the pan. Sweat the for 5 minutes until the cavolo nero begins to soften.
- Next, add in the orzo, chickpeas and water. Season with salt and cook with a lid on for around 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the orzo is al dente. Depending on the size and shape of your pan you may need to add more water. You want the final consistency to be loose and silky.
- Once al dente, turn the heat to low and add in the miso paste, grate in the pecorino/parmesan and squeeze in the lemon juice. Stir until the cheese has melted, then taste and then season with salt and black pepper.
- Serve the orzo and top with a spoonful of ricotta (or creme fraiche), a drizzle of olive oil and lemon zest, if you like.
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Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly meal plans, for one! I select 5 one pot one portion recipes that use similar ingredients and include your shopping list plus recipe notes, ingredient swaps and tips and tricks for using up leftovers. Take a look at the first one here...
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Creamy Green Linguine
In a way, this linguine changed my life. It was the first recipe in the series to take off on social media, bringing new people and new opportunities into my life. It’s an exceptionally simple recipe that uses the same water to cook both the pasta and the vegetables, which you then use to create a velvety, carbonara-esque sauce with the cheese and egg. I’ve retested this and tweaked it since its original conception and, though I can’t promise it will change your life, I can promise it will be delicious.
Vegetable Pancake with a Chilli Crisp Egg
This vegetable pancake has its origin in Korea (where they’re known as yachaejeon) and is the perfect dish to use up odds and ends of any vegetables you have lying around. Cabbage, spring onions, carrots and courgettes work really well and provide a nice balance of moisture and crunch, but peppers, potatoes, mushrooms or leafy greens are good alternatives. Depending on the vegetables you use, you may need more or less water to make the light batter so adjust as necessary.
Prawn & Mango Salad
The perfect fresh, but still flavourful, summer salad! This is a beautiful fragrant salad with a creamy, zingy coconut milk dressing. With just a little bit of chopping and a minute of whisking, you’ve got a gorgeous summer lunch, perfect for working from home, taking lunch to the office or a sunny meal in the garden this weekend.
Some big praise!
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"One Pot One Portion is, to borrow from The Parent Trap “a brilliant beyond brilliant idea”…I know many feel that it’s too much bother to cook ‘just’ for themselves — a sad admission, I feel — and to those people, and many others besides, I say: get this book and prove yourself liberatingly wrong!…Thank goodness for books! And thank goodness for Eleanor Wilkinson, a young talent to lift the spirits…There are so many people who could benefit from this book…this book is a boon and a blessing"
"A genius approach to bringing joy to every meal, Eleanor gets that good food is the best form of self-love."
I buy a lot of cook books and this is genuinely one of the best l've ever bought. I've tried 6 or 7 recipes so far and they're all winners. I'm well used to scaling recipes down to one portion, but not having to calculate measurements as l go along feels like a little luxury. One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up! Highly recommended.
I have been following Eleanor on IG for a while and have made several of her dishes before the cookbook came out. I was thrilled to see so many new things to try and have already made about 6 of them. Her recipes are approachable, the dishes are delicious, and they make me feel like I can cook! Highly recommend.
If you love eating good home cooked food but can't be bothered to cook just for yourself, then this is the book for you. Using ingredients that are easy to find, then mixing, cooking and eating from the same pan or dish means a minimum of washing up. Every recipe I have tried so far has been delicious and have all turned out well which isn't always the case with many cookery books. Definitely recommend!
Following Eleanor on Instagram and seeing her recipes come to life is one thing but then having them in my own kitchen is quite another. Not only are the recipes easy to follow and delicious she also help you not to waste food. This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?
Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This is perfect, as far as influencer chefs go, I find this book refreshing in what has become a cohort of lauded influencers who really aren't doing much more than the bog standard meals most people make anyway, or making googled recipes and adding their own "flair". This book is different as it's your normal fare you'd likely make yourself, given a little bit of a twist to speed up the process / use less utensils / ingredients / food waste, in really creative and tasty ways, all perfectly portioned for one.
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This recipe book is stunning and fulfils its role brilliantly in catering for individuals who want to eat delicious meals, but don't want to prepare family sized portions or devote their entire evening to cooking. Who'd believe you could make an entire roast for one person and only use one pan in the process! She is a genius and I couldn't recommend this book any more highly.
One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up!
This is the book I've been waiting for! I (very happily!) live alone, love to cook and read cookery books, but every recipe is for two people or more. This gorgeous book contains recipes perfectly proportioned for one person (and I'm always a very hungry one person!) which ensures more variety, less food waste, and pure, gluttonous joy.
It's so nice to finally have a recipe book that I can go to if I want a quick easy meal with minimal cleaning up required! Everything l've tried so far is delicious. And I salivate at the thought of everything in there!
Totally reignited my cooking mojo which had been MIA for a while. I'm going to buy my daughter a copy to take back to Uni too as everything is simple and delicious - perfect for a student!
Best cookbook for somebody single!
The fact I know I won't have loads to wash up really feels motivating and l've earmarked so many of the recipes already.
This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?