Description
A deliciously creamy baked orzo pasta dish combining tender orzo, savory pasta sauce, fresh spinach, and a blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection in just 35 minutes. This easy one-dish meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Sauce
- 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 the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dish evenly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, mix the uncooked orzo pasta, pasta sauce, and water thoroughly until well combined.
- Add Spinach: Incorporate the fresh baby spinach into the pasta and sauce mixture, stirring slightly to distribute it evenly.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over the mixture without fully mixing it in, allowing creamy pockets to form while baking.
- Top with Mozzarella: Tear fresh mozzarella into 1-inch pieces and scatter them evenly on top of the dish to melt into gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to cook the orzo thoroughly.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender, and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Take the dish out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes to set, then serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute whole-milk ricotta with part-skim for a lighter option.
- Fresh baby spinach can be swapped with frozen spinach; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess water before adding.
- Feel free to add cooked vegetables or protein like sausage or chicken for a heartier meal.
- Make sure to cover the dish in foil initially to allow the pasta to cook evenly without drying out.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
