Description
A comforting and easy-to-make baked orzo pasta dish featuring tender orzo cooked in flavorful pasta sauce, fresh spinach, creamy ricotta cheese pockets, and melted mozzarella topping. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that comes together in just over half an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo Pasta Base
- 1 lb orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups water
- 24 oz pasta sauce (your favorite brand)
Vegetables and Cheese
- 5 oz fresh spinach (baby spinach recommended)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole-milk)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (torn into pieces)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the orzo pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, mix the uncooked orzo pasta, pasta sauce, and water until well combined to ensure the pasta cooks uniformly.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh baby spinach evenly throughout the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese on top of the mixture without stirring it in. These dollops will melt into creamy pockets during baking.
- Add Mozzarella: Tear the fresh mozzarella into approximately 1-inch pieces and scatter them over the top to create a melty, bubbly cheese topping.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow the orzo to cook in the sauce and water.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Take the dish out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes to set, then serve warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Using whole-milk ricotta adds richness and creaminess to the dish.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with baby kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- If you do not have fresh mozzarella, shredded mozzarella cheese can be used but fresh gives better texture.
- Feel free to add Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like basil for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute orzo with a gluten-free small pasta variety.
