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