Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas
Updated Feb 27, 2022, Published Feb 20, 2017
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Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas is a lovely Italian-inspired spring main dish or side dish that’s easily made ahead of time! Perfect on the side with Chicken Milanese or Turkey Meatloaf Muffins!
Spring is crazy early this year here! My husband harvested our first asparagus spear yesterday and our chives and mint are peaking their lovely flavorful heads out of the ground.
As I mentioned in the Butternut Squash, Leek and Gruyere Tart post, we’re really feeling the pressure of using up what we froze or stored from last growing season. We still have tons of basil pesto in our freezer so I loved being able to use an entire container of it here.
How to make Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas:
- Spray a small baking dish (like an 8 x 8-inch square) with cooking spray.
- Combine cooked orzo, peas, prosciutto, cream or half-and-half, pesto, mascarpone and half the Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes then serve.
This recipe is very forgiving and will also work with any small pasta shape such as shells or ditalini. You could certainly use rice, too!
Mascarpone is Italian cream cheese. It’s a bit more expensive than traditional American-style cream cheese but it’s a lovely addition to this dish. Whipped cream cheese will also work and feel free to substitute diced ham for the prosciutto.
Not everyone has prosciutto and mascarpone cheese on hand, but I’m one of those bizarre people who often will!
If you’re not a “pea person,” spinach or broccoli would also work. Hmmm….. How about spinach or broccoli pesto? See? This baked orzo dish is forgiving and totally adaptable.
Enjoy!
For more cheesy baked pasta dishes, be sure to try my:
- Spaghetti Pie with Three Cheeses
- Baked Orecchiette with Cauliflower, Bacon and Taleggio
- Tomato-Topped Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups cooked orzo pasta, approximately 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup peas, fresh or thawed if frozen
- 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped
- 3/4 cup heavy cream, or half-and-half
- 3/4 cup prepared pesto
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, or 4 ounces ricotta or cream cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a small baking dish (like an 8 x 8-inch square) with cooking spray.
- Combine cooked orzo, peas, prosciutto, cream or half-and-half, pesto, mascarpone and half the Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes then serve.
Notes
- Use ricotta or cream cheese in place of mascarpone.
- Use diced ham in place of prosciutto.
- Combine everything in the baking dish as directed. Refrigerate until needed.
- Let baking dish stand at room temperature before placing in the oven and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Carol,
Wow, this dish has all of my favorite things, orzo, mascarpone, prosciutto, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and pesto. What’s not to love? Comfort food at it’s finest! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sharon
PS: Glad your house is almost back to normal. Soon it will all be a distant memory!
I’ve been craving pasta alla carbonara, and this sounds like a baked version with those same addicting flavors. I’m with you on using up what I’ve stored in the freezer before spring comes with a whole new round! Good luck getting your house back in order.
Thanks, Lynne! We’re working hard at it–both at getting to things we stored from last growing season and getting our house in order. Hopefully we’ll accomplish both soon!!!
Yum! I love mascarpone cheese. This pesto orzo looks very yummy!
Thanks, Elaine!
I love all the cheese in addition to the pesto in this dish. I cant wait to serve this on a cold night. Perfect comfort food!
Thanks, Michele! Hope you enjoy!