Description
Comfort meets Italian elegance in this irresistible Caprese Orzo Bake delight, where creamy pasta mingles with ripe tomatoes and melted mozzarella. Mediterranean flavors dance on your palate, promising a simple yet luxurious meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound dry orzo pasta
- 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mozzarella slices
- 3 cups grape tomatoes
Flavor Enhancers:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil, plus additional for garnish
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon chili pepper, adjust to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven precisely to 375°F, creating an ideal environment for uniform culinary transformation.
- Assemble a vibrant flavor base in an 11×7 baking vessel by gently tumbling grape tomatoes, delicate shallots, aromatic garlic, verdant basil leaves, seasoning, and golden olive oil until each ingredient intertwines harmoniously.
- Allow the tomato medley to roast and caramelize in the heated oven for approximately 25 minutes, watching as the tomatoes soften and burst, releasing their intense, sweet essence.
- Delicately crush the roasted tomatoes with a utensil, transforming them into a rustic sauce foundation while incorporating uncooked orzo pasta and fragrant broth, ensuring complete integration of ingredients.
- Shield the developing dish with aluminum foil, returning it to the oven’s warmth for 12-15 minutes until the orzo reaches a perfect al-dente texture with subtle resistance.
- Unveil the dish and artfully arrange creamy mozzarella slices across the surface, returning briefly to the oven until the cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling blanket.
- Elevate the presentation by scattering freshly torn basil leaves, creating a final aromatic flourish. Serve immediately, allowing the complex layers of flavor to harmonize and entice.
Notes
- Bursting with summer flavors, this one-dish wonder transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Caramelized tomatoes create a rich, intensely flavored sauce that infuses every single orzo grain with incredible taste.
- Minimal prep time means you can have a gourmet dinner ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
- The fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pockets, adding luxurious texture and binding the entire dish together deliciously.
- Easily adaptable for vegetarians, this recipe can be customized with additional herbs or a sprinkle of parmesan for extra depth.
- Best served immediately while cheese is still melty and basil remains vibrant and fragrant, creating a stunning presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg