Dinner is ready. Orzo baked in cream with a base of tomato sauce and bits of garlic butter. You can add meatballs, if you like. Silky, cozy and a big hit with everyone!
Roasted tomatoes, creamy orzo with parmesan, and meatballs, if you like, all laced in a little garlic butter. This is silky and luscious. It’s also dangerously easy to consume. It’s delicious. Plus, it’s all mixed together and baked in one dish. That’s the only way I will ever live.
Lindsay’s Notes
This is the definition for a weeknight hero. It’s easy, comforting and delicious.
Baked orzo is a delicious, creamy dish that’s full of nostalgic flavor. Spaghetti-O’s in the best way possible – extra starchy, with the baked-all together texture and rocking the comforting taste of store bought tomato soup. The addition of butter, fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan gives this dish the perfect amount lift.
I love this meal even without meatballs. The first time I made it I had just the roasted tomatoes, the creamy orzo with tomato, and the basil, butter, garlic and parmesan as the finishing touches. It was SO GOOD, I ate almost half the pan myself.
If you want to add protein, meatballs will do the trick. My first recommendation is baked chicken meatballs. I’ve had good results with frozen meatballs from the store. You don’t even need to use the whole bag. Usually, half a package or a few meatballs are enough.
How to Make Creamy Baked Orzo
Step 1: Pour orzo directly into a 9×13 pan.
Yes, you can put it directly there!
We use DeLallo Orzo, which is imported from Italy and has the best texture. It’s bronze-cut, which means that each individual piece has more texture to hold on to all that delicious sauce.
Step 2: Add Stuff Directly in There
This is the beauty of the recipe. Pour it all in! We’re adding:
Broth of chicken or vegetables
Tomato soup
Half cherry tomatoes
If you want meatballs, then go ahead.
Step 3: Mix, bake and bake.
Stir it up and then transfer the guy to the oven. Everything will happen in the pan.
Step 4: Add your “Finishers”, for a touch of beauty and flavor.
All is fair play! I would like to add:
Fresh grated garlic
Butter
Parmesan
Fresh basil
