This One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo is the kind of cozy dinner that saves your weeknight. Juicy cherry tomatoes melt into a quick sauce, basil pesto brings big flavor, and mozzarella turns everything into a bubbly, cheesy skillet bake. The best part? It’s truly one pan, so cleanup stays easy and stress-free. This baked orzo recipe is kid-friendly, super customizable, and perfect when you want something warm and comforting without a lot of effort. Serve it as a vegetarian main or stir in your favorite protein to make it extra filling. Either way, it’s a dinner win in under an hour.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients List
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt (for sauté)
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- ¼ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup tomato basil sauce (or favorite pasta sauce)
- 2 ½ cups water or broth
- 1 lb (16 oz) orzo
- ½ tsp kosher salt (for pasta)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- Fresh julienned basil, for garnish
Optional: red pepper flakes for serving
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large oven-safe skillet (12-inch is ideal)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Oven mitts
- Broiler-safe skillet (same skillet works)
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Sauté the base: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion, tomatoes, garlic, and ½ tsp salt. Cook 10 minutes, stirring often, until tomatoes soften and get jammy 🍅.
- Add greens + flavor: Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute until wilted. Add pesto and tomato basil sauce and stir until glossy and combined.
- Add liquid + pasta: Pour in water/broth. Add orzo, ½ tsp salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir well so the pasta is mostly submerged.
- Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed (stir once halfway if the top looks dry).
- Stir in cheese: Remove skillet and stir in ½ cup mozzarella until melted and creamy 🧀.
- Top + melt: Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top. Bake 5 minutes until melted.
- Broil (optional but amazing): Broil 1–2 minutes until lightly golden in spots (watch closely!).
- Finish: Top with fresh basil and (optional) red pepper flakes. Serve warm 😊
Pro Tips
- Broth = more flavor: Use veggie or chicken broth instead of water for a richer taste.
- Protein add-ins: Stir in cooked chicken, ground beef, shrimp, or white beans after baking (or before the cheese step).
- Extra creamy: Add 2–3 tbsp cream cheese when stirring in the first cheese.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or sauce to loosen.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 serving | 430 | 16.9g | 52.8g | 18g | 10.7g | 7.7g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and 1/2 tsp salt. Sauté about 10 minutes, stirring often, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
- Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute until wilted.
- Stir in pesto, tomato basil sauce, and water/broth until well combined.
- Add orzo, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir so pasta is mostly submerged.
- Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until liquid is mostly absorbed and orzo is tender.
- Remove skillet from oven and stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella until creamy.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top.
- Bake 5 minutes until cheese melts.
- Broil 1–2 minutes until lightly golden in spots (watch closely).
- Garnish with fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Stir once halfway through baking if the top looks dry.
- Mix in cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans for a heartier meal.
- Reheat leftovers with a splash of water or sauce to loosen.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
When you want a cozy dinner with minimal cleanup, this One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo is the answer. It’s cheesy, saucy, and packed with tomato-basil goodness perfect for weeknights and easy to customize with whatever you have on hand.