Easiest One Pan Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 cups cherry tomatoes

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 shallot, chopped

1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

chili flakes

kosher salt and black pepper

1 pound dry orzo pasta

1 (8 ounce) jar basil pesto

2-3 tablespoons sliced peperoncinis

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.2. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, shallots, basil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Roast 10 minutes. Pull the tomatoes out of the oven. To the same pan, add the orzo, pesto, and peperoncinis. Pour over 2 1/2 cups of water and stir to combine. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until most of the water has cooked into the pasta, but not all of it. 3. Stir the pasta around, then sprinkle over the cheese. Bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce bubbling. If there's a lot of oil from the pesto on top, drain off the excess. Top with fresh basil!

Nutrition

• Calories: 541 kcal