Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Bake (Printable Version)
Orzo baked with tomatoes, cheese, and herbs. Comforting Mediterranean flavors in every creamy bite.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
→ Dairy
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
→ Pantry
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add orzo pasta and toss well to coat with oil and vegetables.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth and whole milk. Season with oregano, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently for 5 to 6 minutes until orzo starts to soften.
06 - Mix in spinach and half the chopped basil. Remove skillet from heat.
07 - Fold in ricotta cheese and half the mozzarella. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
08 - Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and all Parmesan cheese over the mixture.
09 - Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
11 - Allow the bake to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Uses easy-to-find pantry staples like orzo pasta and sun-dried tomatoes
- Ready in under one hour which makes it perfect for weeknights
- Bakes in one dish for minimal cleanup
- Totally meatless but hearty and satisfying
- Adaptable for all seasons with fresh or preserved tomatoes
02 -
- High in protein and calcium from the cheese
- Customizable for gluten free or vegan diets
- Freezes beautifully for busy weeks
03 -
- Always choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil because they have softer texture and carry more flavor
- Do not skip resting the bake five minutes after it comes out of the oven It is key for clean slices and a perfectly creamy set