Best Baked Orzo With Peppers And Cheese Recipes

SAVORY MEDITERRANEAN ORZO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo; cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat., In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir into orzo mixture. Stir in 1 cup cheese, spinach, red peppers, squash, salt and pepper., Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

BAKED ORZO WITH TOMATOES, ROASTED PEPPERS AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, and add the orzo. Cook eight minutes, or until it is cooked through but still firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with the diced roasted pepper and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, wide skillet. Add the zucchini and cook - stirring and turning over the slices, or tossing them in the pan - until just cooked through and lightly colored, about five minutes. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo.
• Return the pan to the heat, add the final tablespoon of oil and the garlic. Cook just until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes and salt to taste. Cook, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo, add the Parmesan or goat cheese, and mix everything together. Add freshly ground pepper to taste, and adjust salt. Transfer to the baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is just beginning to color. Serve hot or warm.

BAKED ORZO AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add in the green onions and garlic; saute/stir for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
• Add in the orzo; stir constantly/cook 1 minute longer.
• Add in broth, salt and pepper to taste; bring to a boil.
• Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add in Parmesan and parsley; stir.
• Bake, covered, in a 350° oven for 35-40 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

ORZO WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, OLIVES, AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Roast the peppers over the flame of a gas burner, on a hot grill, or under the broiler, until the skin is black and charred. Remove from the heat and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 15 to 20 minutes. With clean paper towels, wipe off the skin. Remove the stems and seeds and discard. If necessary, briefly rinse under cold water to remove any remaining charred skin. Dice the roasted peppers and set aside.
• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook just until translucent, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved peppers and saute for 3 minutes.
• Blanch the orzo in the boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beginning to cook, but still very al dente. Drain the orzo, reserving the pasta water, and add to the pepper mixture. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and cook, stirring, until creamy and the pasta is cooked tender. Finish with another 1/4 cup pasta water if the mixture is too thick. Stir in the olives and goat cheese and mix until the goat cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Thin with pasta water if the mixture is too thick.
• Garnish with parsley, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH MARINARA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the orzo and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a very large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn), about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing often, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
• Stir the cooked orzo into the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella, sprinkle the Parmesan on top, and bake, uncovered, until the Parmesan is melted and the pasta is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil, and serve warm.

ORZO BAKED WITH GREEK CHEESES

Steps:

• Pour broth into large pot. Add enough water to broth to almost fill pot. Add salt and bring to boil. Stir in orzo and boil until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Return to pot. Mix in cream, oil, feta and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 1 1/2-quart baking dish. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle orzo with cheese. Bake until heated through, about 40 minutes.