Print

Healthy Baked Feta Orzo

Healthy Baked Feta Orzo
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Healthy Baked Feta Orzo: Effortless & Delicious! Enjoy this easy, healthy baked feta orzo. Perfect for a quick, tasty meal! Try it today!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 1 (8 ounce) block of feta cheese
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth (reserved pasta water can be used)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or roughly chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • Small pinch flaky sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a sturdy 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil into the dish.
  • Scatter 2 pints of vibrant cherry tomatoes evenly across the baking dish. Nestlé the entire 8-ounce block of feta cheese right in the center of the tomatoes. Around the feta and tomatoes, add 4-5 cloves of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced.
  • Sprinkle everything generously with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil. Give the tomatoes and garlic a gentle toss with the olive oil to ensure they’re all coated.
  • Slide the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes have burst open and are beautifully tender, and the feta cheese is gloriously soft, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
  • While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a good pinch of salt, then add 1 1/2 cups of orzo pasta and cook according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente (usually around 8-10 minutes). Once cooked, drain the orzo, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  • Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork or the back of a spoon, gently mash the roasted feta into the burst tomatoes and their juices. Stir everything together until you have a creamy, rustic sauce. If it feels too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  • Gently fold in the cooked and drained orzo pasta, ensuring every grain is coated in that incredible feta-tomato sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, torn or roughly chopped, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the top. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • In a small bowl, finely chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, and 1 tablespoon of fresh chives. Combine these vibrant herbs. Grate about 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest directly into the herbs. Add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts for a delicate crunch and nutty flavor. Finish with a small pinch of flaky sea salt. Gently toss everything together.
  • Divide the warm orzo into individual bowls. Sprinkle a generous handful of your freshly prepared herb garnish over the top of each bowl. Add a final whisper of extra virgin olive oil over each plate for a touch of sheen and a luxurious finish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Oh, prepare your taste buds for a truly sensational and surprisingly simple dish: Healthy Baked Feta Orzo! This vibrant, comforting, and incredibly flavorful meal takes the internet-famous baked feta pasta concept and elevates it with chewy orzo, fresh herbs, and a burst of juicy cherry tomatoes. Imagine perfectly roasted, bursting tomatoes mingling with warm, salty, and creamy feta cheese, all coating tender orzo in a harmonious dance of Mediterranean flavors. It’s a weeknight hero that feels gourmet, a dish that will quickly become a beloved staple in your culinary repertoire, promising both ease and extraordinary taste with minimal effort.

Find it online: https://thecozycuppa.com/healthy-baked-feta-orzo/