If you follow me on Instagram you may have caught a little sneak peek of this recipe a few weeks back. Okay, it was honestly SO good that I knew we had to put it on the blog.
This tomato basil baked orzo is made in one pan with super simple ingredients and might just be your new favorite weeknight dinner. I originally made it with my fav brand of tuna and all of my boys (Tony included) gobbled it all up.
I mean, tender pasta, saucy goodness, fresh basil, and melty cheese — what more could you ask for? I think it would be wonderful with any of your fav proteins mixed in, so be sure to scroll through and get some inspo. Cook this beautiful one pan baked orzo up ASAP and enjoy!
Everything you’ll need to make this tomato basil baked orzo
This easy dinner is truly one of those clean-out-the-fridge meals that you can come back to time and time again. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Produce: we’re adding beautiful cherry tomatoes, an onion, and garlic. You’ll also get an extra boost of veggies by stirring in 2 full cups of spinach!
- Olive oil: you’ll need a little olive oil to cook down the veggies.
- Sauce: feel free to use your favorite store bought basil pesto and tomato basil sauce in this recipe. If you’re feeling adventurous, try my Cilantro Pistachio Pesto and my Homemade Tomato Sauce!
- Orzo: this baked orzo recipe, of course, needs orzo! You’ll cook it right in the same pan with the sauces and a little water or broth.
- Herbs & spices: you’ll need salt, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil for garnishing.
- Cheese: can’t forget about that gooey cheese! We’re mixing shredded mozzarella right into the pasta and then adding more on top to get nice and melted.
Add your favorite protein
When I first made this baked orzo I stirred in a can of my favorite tuna to give it a delicious boost of protein. The kiddos still gobbled it up! This recipe would also be perfect with:
- Cooked, cubed or shredded chicken (a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken!)
- Ground Italian pork or turkey sausage
- Sliced chicken sausage
- A can of your favorite tuna!
Simply cook your protein of choice and stir it in after you fold in the orzo.
Can I make it gluten free?
Sure! Simply use gluten free orzo or your favorite gluten free short pasta. Easy!
Go veggie-heavy
Along with the tomatoes and spinach, you could also add tons of different vegetables to really make this dish your own. Feel free to cook some bell pepper, zucchini, or even mushrooms with the tomatoes and enjoy a veggie-packed pasta!
One pan baked orzo in 5 easy steps
- Make the sauce. Start by cooking down the onion, tomatoes, and garlic in a little olive oil and salt until the tomatoes break down. Stir in the spinach, pesto, tomato sauce, and broth or water.
- Bake the pasta. Stir the orzo right into the pan with more salt and Italian seasoning, plus any extra protein if you’d like, then bake it all at 400 degrees until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the pasta is cooked.
- Cheese it up. Remove the pan from the oven, stir in half of the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake the pasta again until the cheese is melted. Finish it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to get nice and golden brown.
- Garnish & serve. Finally, top the dish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes and devour!
Storing tips
You can store any leftover homemade hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Simply reheat in the microwave.
More pasta recipes you’ll love
- One Pan Lightened Up Hamburger Helper
- Incredible Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake
- 30 Minute Pasta Carbonara
- Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
- One Pot Cheesy Mushroom Spinach Beef Pasta
Get all of my pasta recipes here!
I hope you love this one pan tomato basil baked orzo! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- ¼ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup tomato basil sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 2 ½ cups water or broth
- 1 pound orzo
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Fresh julienned basil, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, warm oil over medium heat. Add the onion, tomatoes, garlic, and salt and saute until tomatoes begin to break down and release their juices, 10 minutes. Stir in the spinach, pesto, tomato basil sauce, water/broth and mix until well combined. Next, add the orzo, salt, and italian seasoning and stir until well combined.
- Bake uncovered until the liquid is mostly absorbed and pasta is cooked though, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and stir ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese into the orzo. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Place the skillet back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 5 minutes. Switch oven to the broiler, and broil until the cheese is slightly golden in places, 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
24 comments
Cant wait to make this soon for me i love pesto sooooooooooooo much i never had one pan tomato basil baked orzo before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Enjoy!
This was delicious! Perfect for a fall evening. I did add Italian sausage which was a great protein addition. I also made my own basil pesto and sauce. The best part about this recipe is my 7 and 4 year old loved it! I always get the best family friendly meals from you. I will absolutely make this again!
So good, Stephanie. Glad to hear this recipe was a hit for the whole family!
Can’t wait to try the orzo dish
Hope you love it!
This was such an easy recipe and oh so yummy! My family enjoyed it immensely. I can’t wait to make it again!
Amazing! Glad you gave this recipe a try and it turned out great for you!
The recipe was delicious but it took much longer than 12 minutes for my orzo to cook in the oven!
So sorry to hear that – there are always different factors that could’ve caused that i.e rack you baked it on, thickness of pan, etc. Glad you enjoyed it though.
I was hoping to make and/or prep this ahead. Does it reheat well or do you think I am better off making it up until adding the cheese and then next day adding the cheese and baking for 5-10 minutes more?
I haven’t tried it, but I am sure it will reheat well. Let me know if you give this a try!
This was phenomenal!! I used RightRice (a chickpea lentil rice) and added 2 cans of tuna. My husband and I are both really looking forward to eating the leftovers tomorrow.
Amazing! I am so glad you are both loving this recipe and it turned out great for you ❤️
This was outstanding! So easy to throw together, and so delicious. I added Italian style veggie meatballs. It was a hit with my 2 year old as well. Next time I may try adding mushrooms to get another vegetable in. This will be in our regular rotation for sure.
Ahh this makes me so happy to hear, Melissa. I am so glad your loving this recipe and it turned out amazing for you and the family, Melissa!
I swapped the cherry tomatoes for roasted red peppers. Next time I may play with the pesto to pasta sauce ratio. Overall, great dish!
Sounds amazing! Glad this recipe turned out great for you and you are enjoying it!
This is such a versatile recipe! I added protein (sausage frozen that was left over from another meal) and added additional veggies. Everyone enjoyed! Thank you! This one will be on a regular rotation.
Yay! So glad this recipe is a hit for everyone, Erin 🙂
Loved this! But I love all of Monique’s recipes! I used chickpea orzo and it worked great! I may add 1/4 c more of pesto next time bc I love pesto so much.
Sounds delicious! Glad to hear you’re loving this recipe and it turned out amazing for you!
What a yummy comfort meal! I bought the spicy Italian sausage from Trader Joe’s to add in here and it was a bit too spicy — but I loved that + basil and pesto flavors. Couldn’t have been easier to make! I did question my conversion skills with 1 pound of orzo.. went with a cup and a half and it was chefs kiss. Spinach was a perfect add!
YUM! This makes me so happy to hear. Glad this recipe turned out delicious for you!