Description
Enjoy a delightful and comforting meal with this Baked Orzo Pasta recipe. A flavorful blend of orzo pasta, vegetables, and cheeses baked to perfection, creating a satisfying one-pot dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Baked Orzo:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 zucchini (diced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté Vegetables: In an oven-safe skillet, sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini until softened.
- Add Seasonings and Orzo: Stir in oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and orzo. Toast for 2 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add tomatoes, broth, and cream. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle Parmesan and half the mozzarella. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then bake uncovered with remaining mozzarella until golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Let it rest, then garnish with parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding cooked chicken or chickpeas before baking.
- Feel free to swap zucchini with mushrooms, spinach, or your favorite vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
