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French Onion Orzo Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 60 reviews

A rich and comforting French Onion Orzo Bake combining deeply caramelized onions, creamy orzo, and a blend of melted Gruyère, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, baked to golden perfection. This dish offers a savory one-pan meal inspired by classic French onion soup flavors, perfect for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Onion Base

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Pasta and Liquids

  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 2 cups beef broth, low sodium preferred
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Cheeses

  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter together with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become deeply golden, soft, and caramelized. This slow cooking step is essential to develop rich, sweet flavors.
  2. Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Cook everything together for about one minute until fragrant. Then, pour in the balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to incorporate intense savory notes.
  3. Add Orzo and Liquids: Mix in the dry orzo pasta, then pour in the low sodium beef broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat slightly. Allow the orzo to cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is mostly tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  4. Add Cheese: Stir half of the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella throughout the orzo mixture to create a creamy texture. Then sprinkle the remaining Gruyère, mozzarella, and all the Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the oven-safe skillet in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
  6. Garnish & Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the dish to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives if desired, then serve warm for a rich and comforting meal.

Notes

  • Be patient while caramelizing the onions; rushing this step reduces the depth of flavor.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese and baking.
  • Use low sodium beef broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
  • This dish can be made vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth and using vegetarian cheeses.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated on the stovetop or in the oven.

Keywords: French Onion Orzo Bake, caramelized onions, creamy orzo, cheesy bake, comfort food, one-pan meal, Gruyère cheese, baked pasta

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/french-onion-orzo-bake-recipe/