Cheesy Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake Recipe

Heavenly Cheesy Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake Recipe – A Tasty Dream!

Comfort meets freshness in this delightful caprese pesto orzo bake that combines creamy textures with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly cooked orzo, creating a mouthwatering landscape of taste and color.

Ripe tomatoes burst with sweetness against the rich, herbaceous pesto backdrop.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of classic Italian ingredients that dance across your palate.

The golden, crispy top hints at the delectable layers waiting beneath.

Herbs and cheese intertwine, transforming a simple pasta dish into a remarkable culinary experience.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this irresistible Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Add-Ons That Work with This Herby, Cheesy Dish

  • Use room temperature mozzarella for smoother, more even melting across the dish.
  • Prep ingredients night before and refrigerate, then bake directly from cold for a convenient meal prep option.
  • Swap traditional orzo with quinoa for a gluten-free version or use cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
  • Add spinach, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers during the first baking stage to increase vegetable content and nutritional value without compromising the creamy texture.
  • Incorporate cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or plant-based proteins like white beans or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete, satisfying main course.

Serve Orzo Bake as a Side or Main Dish

  • Fresh Herb Sprinkle: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the dish's freshness and visual appeal.
  • Mediterranean Feast Partner: Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad or grilled chicken to transform this one-pan marvel into a complete, satisfying meal that brings Mediterranean flavors to your table.
  • Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the rich, cheesy orzo with a light, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a zesty Sauvignon Blanc to balance the dish's creamy and herbal notes.
  • Leftover Lunch Hack: Enjoy cold or gently reheated the next day, making this recipe perfect for meal prep or a quick office lunch that tastes just as delicious as when first baked.

Best Ways to Store Orzo Bake for Later Bites

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Prepare the entire dish earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
  • Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent orzo from drying out. Stir gently halfway through heating to ensure even temperature.
  • Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 1 month, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently in the oven at 350F.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake

For Base Ingredients:
  • Orzo: Delicate pasta that creates a creamy, risotto-like texture and absorbs flavors beautifully.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory foundation and helps cook orzo perfectly without drying out.
  • Olive Oil: Adds silky smoothness and helps distribute heat evenly throughout the dish.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Pesto: Brings vibrant basil and nutty notes that elevate the entire dish with Mediterranean freshness.
  • Garlic: Infuses deep, aromatic complexity and rounds out the overall taste profile.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and amplify the other ingredients' natural flavors.
For Cheese and Topping Components:
  • Shredded Mozzarella: Melts smoothly, creating irresistible creamy strands throughout the orzo.
  • Fresh Mozzarella Pearls: Adds luxurious, soft cheese pockets that burst with milky richness.
  • Parmesan: Contributes sharp, tangy notes and creates a golden, crispy top layer.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Brings bright, juicy bursts of sweetness that complement the cheesy base.

Tools That Help You Bake This One-Pan Orzo Dish

  • Large oven-safe skillet: Essential for mixing and baking all ingredients in one pan.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Perfect for precise ingredient quantities.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients evenly.
  • Cheese grater: Ideal for shredding Parmesan cheese.
  • Aluminum foil: Needed to cover the dish during initial baking.
  • Oven mitts: Crucial for safely handling hot dishes.
  • Broiler (optional): Used for achieving a golden cheese top.

How to Cook Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake to Perfection

  • Prepare Baking Station

Grab a large oven-safe skillet and set your oven temperature to a toasty 375F (190C).

  • Create Flavor Base

Combine orzo, juicy cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, savory broth, aromatic pesto, smooth olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in the skillet. Mix everything together until well-blended.

  • First Baking Phase

Cover the skillet tightly with foil and slide it into the oven. Let it bake for 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop rich flavors.

  • Check and Stir

Pull out the skillet and remove the foil. Give the orzo a gentle stir – it should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.

  • Add Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle in shredded mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Top with fresh mozzarella pearls and the remaining Parmesan cheese.

  • Final Bake

Return the skillet to the oven, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes. Watch as the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.

  • Optional Golden Finish

For an extra crispy top, switch to broil for 1-2 minutes until the surface turns a beautiful golden brown.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cheesy Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake Recipe

Cheesy Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Caprese pesto orzo bake delivers Mediterranean magic in a single skillet, blending Italian herbs with creamy cheese and fresh basil. Comfort meets elegance in this effortless dish that promises delicious simplicity you’ll crave again and again.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or slices
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, for garnish
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, for heat

Instructions

  1. Thermal Preparation: Elevate oven temperature to 375F (190C), creating an ideal cooking environment.
  2. Ingredient Fusion: In a spacious oven-safe skillet, amalgamate orzo, cherry tomatoes, garlic, broth, pesto, olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring thorough integration through gentle stirring.
  3. Initial Roasting Phase: Encase the skillet with aluminum foil and immerse in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and orzo to absorb liquid.
  4. Texture Evaluation: Cautiously remove foil, assess orzo’s tenderness, and redistribute ingredients, confirming most liquid has been absorbed.
  5. Cheese Integration: Incorporate shredded mozzarella and partial Parmesan, then crown the dish with fresh mozzarella pearls and remaining Parmesan cheese.
  6. Final Baking Sequence: Return uncovered skillet to oven for 10-12 minutes, enabling cheese to melt luxuriously and develop a tempting golden surface.
  7. Optional Caramelization: If desired, activate broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve a crisp, burnished cheese topping.

Notes

  • Use a large, oven-safe skillet or baking dish with high sides to prevent overflow and ensure even cooking.
  • Stir the orzo midway through baking to prevent sticking and ensure uniform moisture distribution.
  • Add shredded cheese first for even melting, then top with fresh mozzarella pearls for a beautiful presentation.
  • Swap regular mozzarella for dairy-free alternatives or use gluten-free orzo to accommodate different dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star