This cheesy tomato basil baked orzo is a cozy, comforting side that’s versatile and full of flavor. Tender orzo meets bright tomato and fresh basil with plenty of parmesan for a melty, satisfying dish.
Hello orzo lovers!
Today we’re making cheesy tomato basil baked orzo — warm, comforting and bright with summer flavor. It’s rich and gooey in the best way, and it’s impossible not to scoop up another bite.
This recipe is a baked orzo that leans into tomato and basil, finished with lots of cheese. It’s more substantial than a simple stovetop orzo, but it rewards the extra bake time with creaminess and a golden cheesy top.
The tomato and basil give this side dish a defined flavor profile, so it pairs beautifully with simply seasoned proteins and big green salads. It’s not a blank canvas, and that’s what makes it special.
This can feel like winter comfort food, yet the tomato-basil combination keeps it firmly in warm-weather territory — perfect to enjoy before the oven-free days of summer arrive. The texture of orzo sits somewhere between pasta and rice, making it familiar yet slightly different each bite.
How I make it — simple and delicious
- Toast the orzo in butter with garlic. Toasting adds depth and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Add marinara and chicken or vegetable stock, then transfer the skillet to the oven to cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Stir, add a little more stock if needed, fold in grated cheese, then finish baking until everything is melty and bubbling.
- Top with extra parmesan, fresh basil and a pinch of crushed red pepper for heat.
The result is a creamy, cheesy orzo that’s loaded with savory tomato and bright basil. It’s easy to fall into an orzo moment — this one deserves the attention.
Serving suggestions: pair this baked orzo with simply prepared chicken, meatballs, or a hearty salad. It also stands on its own as a vegetarian main when paired with crisp greens or roasted vegetables.
Just look at that stretchy, melty cheese!
I love sharing reliable recipes like this — those everyday dishes that everyone reaches for again and again. This one is a keeper and an easy crowd-pleaser.
Cheesy Tomato Basil Baked Orzo
Cheesy Tomato Basil Baked Orzo
4
to 6
20 mins
25 mins
45 mins
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 16 ounces uncooked orzo
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella or Italian blend
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Crushed red pepper, for topping
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt the butter in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven. Add the orzo, garlic and dried basil with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the orzo is lightly toasted and aromatic, a few minutes.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the stock and the marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then transfer the skillet to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Carefully remove the skillet and stir the orzo. Add the remaining 1/2 cup stock and 1 cup of the grated cheese, stirring to combine. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and return to the oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and finish with grated parmesan, fresh basil and crushed red pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Cozy central.