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The Easiest One Pan Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake. Trust me, this is going to become your new go-to for busy nights. Roasted tomatoes with garlic, shallots, and olive oil, all tossed together with dry orzo pasta, basil pesto, then finished with melty mozzarella cheese. This incredible dish is all made in one pan without even having to boil any water. Just mix, bake, eat, and enjoy!
I know this is a recipe post, but for long-time readers, I just have to quickly say how incredible the last few days have been. Your support for me is just so sweet and incredible to feel. I feel so very loved by you all and I just want to say thank you, thank you!
For everyone who has already received the book, what’s your favorite recipe so far?!
Going to chat more about all this fun stuff on Sunday, but I just had to say thank you!
Ok, ok, back to today’s recipe. This is the easiest recipe and certainly my favorite of the week!!
I honestly have no idea how I thought to put this one together, but it’s pretty perfect. The flavors are nothing new by any means, but the cooking method is super smart. And the end product is so very delicious.
A lot of times one-pan pasta dishes aren’t cooked properly. But because we’re using orzo, which is such a small pasta, it cooks up really well!!
Here are the simple, simple steps
Start out by roasting the tomatoes, just to get them cooking before we add the pasta. I added some garlic, shallots, and chili flakes to bump up the flavor a bit.
When the tomatoes start sizzling, pull them out and add the DRY orzo pasta, a jar of basil pesto, and some peperoncinis. The peperoncinis are not traditional for Caprese, but I’m obsessed with them and they add a lot of flavor to the dish.
The next key ingredient…water.
So simple, and yes, technically not an ingredient. But the water cooks the pasta just as if we had boiled it on the stove. Once the water is in, bake another 10 minutes or so. Allowing the water to cook into the pasta, then stir, and sprinkle over the cheese. Now finish baking!
Finish it up and eat
When the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted, pull the pan out. If there’s a lot of oil on top from the jar of pesto, just drain that off and save it for dipping with bread (YUMMM).
Top with plenty of fresh basil and that’s literally it. SO SIMPLE, SO DELICIOUS! And I love that there’s basically no prep or extra dishes.
Simple but delicious really is the key!
Looking for other easy pasta bakes? Here are my favorites:
One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Whipped Ricotta
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
4 Cheese Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake
Lastly, if you make this Easy One Pan Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easiest One Pan Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 541 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
- chili flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pound dry orzo pasta
- 1 (8 ounce) jar basil pesto
- 2-3 tablespoons sliced peperoncinis
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.2. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, shallots, basil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Roast 10 minutes. Pull the tomatoes out of the oven. To the same pan, add the orzo, pesto, and peperoncinis. Pour over 2 1/2 cups of water and stir to combine. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until most of the water has cooked into the pasta, but not all of it. 3. Stir the pasta around, then sprinkle over the cheese. Bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce bubbling. If there's a lot of oil from the pesto on top, drain off the excess. Top with fresh basil!
Made this for dinner tonight. Absolutely delicious. Everything I have made of yours is fantastic and easy. I prefer easy recipes. A definite repeat recipe.
Hey Darlene,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it. Have the best week:) xx
I used arborio instead of orzo to make this GF. I put in 2 cups (1lb) arborio rice and 4 cups water in step 2. I ended up baking for about 25 minutes before adding the mozzarella. Finished for 10 min then broiled just long enough to brown the cheese.
Hi April,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing what worked well for you!! xx
This is delicious!! I made it exactly as listed. Next time I think I’m going to add spinach and pine nuts but it doesn’t need it. Very, very good and easy!
Hi Jillian,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out!! ?xx
THE. BEST! The whole family loved it. This recipe was quick, simple, dirtied minimal dishes, and DELICIOUS! Can’t wait to make it again soon!
Hey Stacie,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out!! ?xx
Delicious pasta dish! Both grocery stores I went to were out of sliced pepperoncinis so I left those out and it was still fantastic. I also subbed a little onion for the shallot. My 10 year old also loved it. Thanks for a great one-dish recipe that was so simple!
Hi Christy,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out!! ?xx
Amazing!! Followed the recipe exactly except for the peperoncini. The flavors were so fresh and delicious. Our family loved it! I can’t wait to try this again with garden fresh herbs and tomatoes. Thank you for the yummy recipe!
Hi Lee Ann,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Made this for dinner tonight with a beef filet and broccolini. It was fabulous!!! Followed it exactly! No need for any changes! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!!! Can’t wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow. My daughter is going to help me! She and my husband loved it, too!
Hi Tammy,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
10/10 so delicious!! I followed the recipe and measurements except added 3 cups water to the mixture (instead of 2.5). I also added diced rotisserie chicken. BOMB
Hi Catherine,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
I was concerned about how this would turn out cause I skipped the stirring of the pasta in between. But it still came out delicious! ? A ++ for the ease of the recipe and using just one pan!
Hey Veena,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
Easy and SO delicious! Don’t skimp on the tomatoes!
Hey Saralyn,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
I wanted to love this but it just didn’t come out right. I probably needed more water for the orzo and to drain the oil from the pesto. I love your recipes and your new book so much, but this one didn’t come out great. I also recommend adding lemon juice after baking to add a little flavor!
When do the tomatoes go back in? ?
Hi Marie,
The tomatoes are never removed from the dish, you are just removing them from the oven to continue with the recipe:)
Hi Kendall,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it wasn’t enjoyed! xx
I can’t eat pasta so was going to try and attempt with cauliflower instead. Any thoughts or other suggestions that you think would be better? Thanks!
Hi Christa,
So sorry, I have never tested this recipe without the pasta, I would say you would need to significantly reduce the liquid. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I just made this for dinner tonight. So delicious! I added some ground chicken for protein. This is quick and easy. Great dish to make if you don’t have a ton of time.
Hey Jill,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
Loved the recipe! I had to add more water than suggested because it seems a little dry before adding the cheese. I used mozzarella but think I might try with fresh Parmesan and Romano. Super simple to make and flavors were delicious! Just received my new book, Half Baked Harvest Every Day, and so exited to try some of those recipes!
Hey Joyce,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
What would you recommend serving this with?
Hey Hali,
I would do a big side salad! I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan