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    Home » Recipes » Pizza and Pasta

    By Carol Published: Feb 20, 2017 Modified: Feb 27, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    50 minutes
    Baked Orzo with Pesto, Peas, Prosciutto and Mascarpone is perfect as a side dish or main dish!

    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!

    Photo of Baked Orzo with Pesto Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone in white baking dish with some being scooped out with wooden spoon.

    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.

    Photo of Baked Orzo with Pesto Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone in white baking dish before being served.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • How to make Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas:
    • For more cheesy baked pasta dishes, be sure to try my:
    • Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Instructions 
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    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 an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes then serve.

    Photo of cheese being sprinkled over Baked Orzo with Pesto Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone before being baked.

    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!

    Photo of Baked Orzo with Pesto Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone on white wooden background.

    Mascarpone is simply 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!

    Photo of Baked Orzo with Pesto Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone with some being scooped out with wooden spoon.

    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 Peas Prosciutto and Mascarpone

    Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas

    5 from 1 vote
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Baked Orzo with Pesto and Peas is a lovely Italian-inspired spring main dish or side dish that's easily made ahead of time!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Pizza and Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 623 kcal

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    • 8 x 8 Baking Dish

    Ingredients
      

    • cooking spray
    • 3 to 3 ½ cups cooked orzo pasta - approximately 2 cups dry orzo pasta
    • 1 cup peas - fresh or thawed if frozen
    • 3 ounces prosciutto - chopped
    • ¾ cup heavy cream - or half-and-half
    • ¾ cup prepared pesto
    • ½ 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

    Prep time does not including boiling the orzo. Add 20 minutes.
    MAKE AHEAD:  Combine everything in the baking dish as directed.  Refrigerate until needed.  Let baking dish stand at room temperature before placing in the oven.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 623kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 675mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1645IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 307mg | Iron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

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    Categories: Make Ahead and Meal Prep

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      April 12, 2019 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    2. Sharon Rigsby says

      February 27, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      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!

      Reply
    3. Lynne Curry says

      February 25, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 25, 2017 at 6:38 pm

        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!!!

        Reply
    4. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:57 am

      Yum! I love mascarpone cheese. This pesto orzo looks very yummy!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 25, 2017 at 6:37 pm

        Thanks, Elaine!

        Reply
    5. Michele says

      February 20, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 20, 2017 at 8:57 pm

        Thanks, Michele! Hope you enjoy!

        Reply

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