Description
This Baked Orzo Pasta recipe combines tender orzo pasta with rich pasta sauce, fresh spinach, and creamy pockets of ricotta and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, this dish offers a comforting, cheesy experience that’s perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 lb orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups water
- 24 oz pasta sauce (your favorite brand)
Vegetables
- 5 oz fresh spinach (baby spinach recommended)
Cheeses
- 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 pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, mix the uncooked orzo pasta, pasta sauce, and water until well combined. This mixture will cook the pasta as it bakes.
- Add Spinach: Fold in the fresh baby spinach to incorporate vegetables evenly throughout the dish.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Spoon dollops of whole-milk ricotta cheese over the mixture without fully mixing it in. These pockets will create creamy bursts when baked.
- Top with Mozzarella: Tear the fresh mozzarella into 1-inch pieces and scatter them evenly on top of the dish for a gooey, melted cheese finish.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the orzo to cook through in the sauce.
- Uncover and Continue Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly with golden spots.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the cheese to set slightly.
Notes
- Use baby spinach for a tender texture; regular spinach can be used but may require chopping.
- Do not mix ricotta completely into the pasta; the dollops create creamy pockets that enhance texture.
- Covering with foil helps steam the pasta evenly during the initial bake.
- Letting the dish rest after baking improves flavor melding and makes serving easier.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
