One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo

5 from 3 votes

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Looking for a quick and tasty dinner idea? Look no further than this One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo recipe! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time.

Recipe Details

This dish is not only delicious, but it's also easy to make. You can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to cook.

But what makes this recipe really special is its versatility. You can easily customize it to your own tastes and preferences. For example, you can add some grilled chicken or shrimp for some extra protein. You can also add some spinach or other vegetables to make it even more nutritious.

This recipe is also great for meal prep. You can easily make a big batch and divide it into individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners throughout the week. Just reheat and enjoy!

One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo Ingredients

  • 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1.5 cups Orzo - add your orzo uncooked – super easy! The orzo will toast and then cook in the chicken broth, similar to risotto.
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth - I often use water and some Low-Sodium Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base. I use chicken broth in many of my recipes and a jar still lasts for months. I have found it’s much more convenient to keep a jar of it on hand rather than buying cans or cartons of chicken broth all of the time.
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 10 oz Cherry Tomatoes - you can also use grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Basil 
  • 3/4 cup Basil Pesto - I used 1 jar of Creamy Genovese Barilla Pesto but I love the Costco jarred pesto or making my own homemade pesto as well
  • 4 oz Fresh Mozzarella - I used mozzarella balls and sliced in half, but you could also cut up a bigger ball of fresh mozzarella

One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large high-rimmed pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the uncooked orzo, stir, and toast for another minute.

Toast the orzo in olive oil and garlic.

Pour in the broth, season with black pepper and any additional seasonings as desired. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to simmer. Stir occasionally and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the orzo is cooked. Add additional broth as needed if it absorbs before the orzo is finished cooking.

Cook the orzo in broth.

Once the orzo is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, add the sliced cherry tomatoes and chiffonade fresh basil. Stir to combine.

Add the sliced tomatoes and basil.

Mix in the basil pesto until well combined. Add the sliced fresh mozzarella balls. Stir to combine.

Add the fresh mozzarella.

Serve immediately with additional basil as desired.

Serve with more basil.

Leave a review!

This One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo recipe is a delicious, easy, and healthy dinner option that's perfect for busy weeknights. With its versatile ingredients, it can be customized to your own tastes and preferences. Plus, it's great for meal prep, making it a perfect option for those who are looking to save time and eat healthy. Give it a try and see for yourself how delicious and satisfying it can be!

If you try this One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo recipe a try, feel free to rate/leave a review. You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok!

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5 from 3 votes

One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo

This one pan orzo dish is easy to make and comes together in under 30 minutes! It's full of pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Heat olive oil in a large high-rimmed pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the uncooked orzo, stir, and toast for another minute.
  • Pour in the broth, season with black pepper and any additional seasonings as desired. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to simmer. Stir occasionally and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the orzo is cooked. Add additional broth as needed if it absorbs before the orzo is finished cooking.
  • Once the orzo is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, add the sliced cherry tomatoes and chiffonade fresh basil. Stir to combine. Mix in the basil pesto until well combined. Add the sliced fresh mozzarella balls. Stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately with additional basil as desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 538kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 677mg, Potassium: 476mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1635IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 256mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Carolyn Stilwell

My name is Carolyn Stilwell and I’m the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and videographer behind Carol Bee Cooks. On my blog you’ll find easy, tasty, and approachable recipes to inspire you to cook amazing food at home. You don’t need to be a professional chef to make exciting, flavorful dishes that bring joy. Let's get cooking!

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