Sun Dried Tomato and Herbed Cheesed Baked Orzo

Elevate your comfort food game with this Sun-Dried Tomato and Herbed Cheese Baked Orzo, a masterful blend of creamy textures and bold, Mediterranean-inspired flavors. This recipe features tender orzo pasta coated in a luscious cream cheese and broth-based sauce, enriched with fragrant garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and a medley of fresh basil and parsley. Topped with a gooey layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and finished with buttery, golden panko breadcrumbs, this baked dish delivers both crunch and melt-in-your-mouth indulgence. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or as a show-stopping side dish at gatherings, this baked orzo is a crowd-pleaser ready in just under an hour. Keywords: baked orzo, sun-dried tomato pasta, herbed cheese dish, Mediterranean comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups orzo pasta
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Dice the sun-dried tomatoes (if not already pre-chopped) and add them to the skillet. Stir for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.

Step 5

Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the skillet and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Stir in the softened cream cheese, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated into the broth.

Step 7

Add the cooked orzo to the skillet, stirring to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce.

Step 8

Stir in the fresh basil, parsley, half of the mozzarella cheese (3/4 cup), Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well.

Step 9

Transfer the orzo mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter.

Step 11

Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese (3/4 cup) over the orzo, then top with the buttery breadcrumbs.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Garnish with additional chopped basil or parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(874.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	562.4

Total Fat 42.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 125.5mg	0%
Sodium 3122.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 33.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.7g	0%
Total Sugars 7.4g
Protein 16.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 183.6mg	0%
Iron 2.6mg	0%
Potassium 324.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.6%

Protein: 11.3%

Carbs: 23.1%