Best Courgette Orzo Bake Recipes

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BAKED ORZO WITH TOMATOES, ROASTED PEPPERS AND ZUCCHINI



Baked Orzo With Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers and Zucchini image

Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like rice. It's popular in Greece, where it is baked in casseroles like this one. If you like comforting dishes like macaroni and cheese, you'll like this.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield Serves six

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 pound orzo (about 1 1/8 cups)
Salt to taste
1 large red pepper, roasted and diced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium zucchini, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced; or 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 or 2 plump garlic cloves (to taste), minced
2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan or 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese (1/2 cup, tightly packed)

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 192, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 478 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

ZUCCHINI AND GROUND BEEF ORZO CASSEROLE



Zucchini and Ground Beef Orzo Casserole image

Ground beef and zucchini make a great pairing is this surprisingly light casserole. There's enough creamy cheese and orzo pasta to make this taste indulgent, but the zucchini plays a role too, as it has a naturally buttery taste and silky texture, both of which are enhanced by baking. And if the pound of zucchini wasn't enough to meet your veggie quota, there's also a can of tomatoes and an onion, so this dinner is a guaranteed way to get your family to eat some nutritious ingredients! The combination of kitchen staples and easy prep make this a perfect weeknight meal, which can be served up in just over an hour!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta (3 oz)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 lb zucchini squash, cut in half lengthwise, cut in 1/8-inch slices
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lb ground beef (at least 90% lean)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Cook squash, Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in oil 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash has started to soften but is still crisp-tender. Transfer to large bowl; stir together with orzo.
  • In same skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef, onion, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain, and add to bowl with squash. Add crushed tomatoes, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, thyme and pepper flakes; stir to combine. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbling on edges and completely heated through. Top with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; let stand 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize About 1 Cup, Sodium 560 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g

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