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Creamy Baked Feta Orzo Recipe Easy Homemade with Roasted Tomatoes and Basil

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A comforting and easy baked feta orzo dish with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, creating a creamy, flavorful meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (280g) dried orzo pasta
  • 1 block (8 ounces / 225g) full-fat feta cheese, preferably sheep’s milk
  • 2 cups (about 300g) fresh cherry tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 ½ cups (600ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional), a pinch

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, toss 2 cups of fresh cherry tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
  3. Spread the tomatoes evenly in an oven-safe baking dish.
  4. Place the entire 8-ounce block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes until tomatoes blister and feta softens and becomes creamy.
  6. While baking, bring 2 ½ cups of vegetable or chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan.
  7. Add 1 ½ cups of orzo and cook for 8–9 minutes until just tender, then drain and set aside.
  8. Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the softened feta and roasted tomatoes together to create a creamy sauce.
  9. Stir in the cooked orzo thoroughly.
  10. Fold in the chopped fresh basil and add red pepper flakes if desired.
  11. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  12. Serve warm, straight from the oven.

Notes

Do not crumble the feta before baking to keep it creamy. Watch the tomatoes during baking and tent with foil if browning too fast. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or olive oil to loosen it. Avoid overcooking the orzo as it will soften further when mixed with the sauce. Fresh basil should be added off the heat to preserve its flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta, orzo, creamy pasta, roasted tomatoes, basil, easy dinner, comfort food, Mediterranean recipe

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/creamy-baked-feta-orzo-recipe-easy-homemade-with-roasted-tomatoes-and-basil/