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Prep time
5 minutes
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Cook time
25 minutes
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Serves
4
Author Notes
One pot pepperoni pizza orzo bake. An easy crowd-pleasing meal that everyone at your table will love. Imagine smooth orzo simmered in a tomatoey broth with roasted peppers and Parmesan, baked off under a carpet of mozzarella and crispy slices of pepperoni. A pretty looking, delicious dish to serve any night of the week. Serve with a big side salad and enjoy!
As opposed to a classic pepperoni pizza, this weeknight meal is made with orzo instead of a doughy crust. The usual suspects like pizza-style seasoning, the right ratio of sauce to melted cheese and thin slices of pepperoni that crisp up as they bake, are still in place. You’ll only need one pot and it comes together in no time.
An easy, cheesy pasta bake that tastes like pizza and will beyond doubt be a total hit. It’s the best of both worlds.
Adjust the spiciness of the pepperoni and make this an all-ages dinner. Serve when it’s warm and bubbling with some garlic bread and a big side salad. —Anna Chwistek | Serving Dumplings
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons
olive oil
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1
shallot, finely chopped
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3
garlic cloves, minced
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9 ounces
orzo pasta
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2 1/2 cups
chicken broth
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1 tablespoon
tomato paste
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1 cup
tomato purée
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3.5 ounces
roasted peppers from a jar, drained
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1 ounce
grated Parmesan
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6.5 ounces
grated mozzarella
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3.5 ounces
thin slices pepperoni
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basil leaves
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1/2 teaspoon
crushed red pepper flakes
- spices
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1 teaspoon
each: dried oregano, dried thyme, dried sage, salt, black pepper
Directions
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Get all the prep done before you start cooking: mince the garlic and finely chop the shallot.
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Heat oil in an ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium low. Add shallot and garlic, cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add orzo, toast for 1 minute. Stir in spices and toast until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Add tomato paste and stir until dissolved. Add tomato purée and stir well. Cover, and simmer over low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent orzo from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. Add more chicken broth or water if needed.
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In the meantime, preheat the oven to 200 °C/400 °F.
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When ready, turn off the heat. Add roasted peppers and grated Parmesan, stir until combined. Then top with grated mozzarella, pepperoni and basil leaves. Finish off with black pepper and red pepper flakes.
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Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden browned on top. Serve immediately with a big side salad. Enjoy!
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