Caprese Orzo Bake Delight

Description

The Caprese Orzo Bake Delight offers a delicious blend of bubbly cheese, bursting tomatoes, and aromatic herbs unified with the hearty texture of baked orzo pasta. This dish is a fantastic reinterpretation of the traditional Caprese salad, transforming it into a warm, oven-baked comfort meal. Ideal for gatherings or a fulfilling family dinner, this easy-to-prepare recipe is sure to impress with its vibrant flavors and appealing presentation.

Ingredients

• 3 cups grape tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus additional for garnish
• 1 pound dry orzo pasta
• 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper, adjust to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 6 ounces fresh mozzarella slices

Step-by-step Directions

1. Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375° F, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature for baking the dish uniformly.

2. Prepare the Tomato Mixture

In an 11×7 baking dish, combine grape tomatoes, chopped shallots, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Toss all the ingredients well to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.

3. Bake the Tomato Mixture

Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tomatoes are well caramelized and have burst, releasing their juices.

4. Prepare the Orzo

Remove the dish from the oven and gently flatten the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to blend into the forming sauce. Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and broth, mixing well to combine.

5. Bake the Orzo

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it back in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the orzo is al-dente.

6. Add the Mozzarella

Remove the foil and layer slices of fresh mozzarella on top of the orzo. Return to the oven for an additional 1-2 minutes, or just until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.

7. Garnish and Serve

Finalize by sprinkling fresh basil over the baked dish. Serve warm, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully as the dish comes out of the oven.

Servings & Preparation/Cooking Time

The recipe serves approximately 6 people. Total preparation time is about 15 minutes, with a cooking time of 40-43 minutes, making it a great weeknight meal option that doesn’t require excessive time in the kitchen.

Tips for Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Cool the leftovers completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in a microwave or in the oven covered with foil at 350° F until heated through. Adding a splash of broth or water can help prevent the pasta from drying out during reheating.

Conclusion

The Caprese Orzo Bake Delight is a melding of simple ingredients and robust flavors, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a meal that is both comforting and capable of impressing guests. This dish remains true to the flavors of its Caprese roots while introducing an inviting twist with baked orzo, making each bite a delightful experience. Whether served as a main course or a side dish, it guarantees a pleasing culinary adventure.

Caprese Orzo Bake Delight

---

• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 40-43 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

The Caprese Orzo Bake Delight offers a delicious blend of bubbly cheese, bursting tomatoes, and aromatic herbs unified with the hearty texture of baked orzo pasta. This dish is a fantastic reinterpretation of the traditional Caprese salad, transforming it into a warm, oven-baked comfort meal. Ideal for gatherings or a fulfilling family dinner, this easy-to-prepare recipe is sure to impress with its vibrant flavors and appealing presentation.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups grape tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus additional for garnish
• 1 pound dry orzo pasta
• 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper, adjust to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 6 ounces fresh mozzarella slices

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven Begin by preheating your oven to 375° F, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature for baking the dish uniformly.
2. Prepare the Tomato Mixture In an 11×7 baking dish, combine grape tomatoes, chopped shallots, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Toss all the ingredients well to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
3. Bake the Tomato Mixture Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tomatoes are well caramelized and have burst, releasing their juices.
4. Prepare the Orzo Remove the dish from the oven and gently flatten the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to blend into the forming sauce. Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and broth, mixing well to combine.
5. Bake the Orzo Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it back in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the orzo is al-dente.
6. Add the Mozzarella Remove the foil and layer slices of fresh mozzarella on top of the orzo. Return to the oven for an additional 1-2 minutes, or just until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
7. Garnish and Serve Finalize by sprinkling fresh basil over the baked dish. Serve warm, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully as the dish comes out of the oven.