Cheesy Baked Orzo With Bacon Peas Recipe 415

TOASTED ORZO WITH PEAS, ONION AND BACON

Steps:

• Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add orzo and stir until beginning to color, about 10 minutes. Transfer orzo to small bowl. Add onion and bacon to same skillet. Sauté until bacon browns and onion is tender, about 15 minutes. Add 3 1/4 cups broth and orzo and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until broth is absorbed and orzo is tender, about 18 minutes. Mix in peas. Add more broth if mixture is dry. Cover and cook until peas are just warmed through, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH BACON & PEAS RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook 8 minutes, until crispy. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk, bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Stir in Gruyere, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo; cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain. Stir into sauce with peas and cooked bacon. Transfer orzo to a 2-quart baking dish. Top with Parmesan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned.

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH MARINARA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the orzo and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a very large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn), about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing often, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
• Stir the cooked orzo into the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella, sprinkle the Parmesan on top, and bake, uncovered, until the Parmesan is melted and the pasta is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil, and serve warm.