One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo

If you follow me on Instagram you may have caught a little sneak peek of this recipe a few weeks back. Okay, it was honestly SO good that I knew we had to put it on the blog.

This tomato basil baked orzo is made in one pan with super simple ingredients and might just be your new favorite weeknight dinner. I originally made it with my fav brand of tuna and all of my boys (Tony included) gobbled it all up.

I mean, tender pasta, saucy goodness, fresh basil, and melty cheese — what more could you ask for? I think it would be wonderful with any of your fav proteins mixed in, so be sure to scroll through and get some inspo. Cook this beautiful one pan baked orzo up ASAP and enjoy!

Everything you’ll need to make this tomato basil baked orzo

This easy dinner is truly one of those clean-out-the-fridge meals that you can come back to time and time again. Here’s what you’ll need:

Produce: we’re adding beautiful cherry tomatoes, an onion, and garlic. You’ll also get an extra boost of veggies by stirring in 2 full cups of spinach!
Olive oil: you’ll need a little olive oil to cook down the veggies.
Sauce: feel free to use your favorite store bought basil pesto and tomato basil sauce in this recipe. If you’re feeling adventurous, try my Cilantro Pistachio Pesto and my Homemade Tomato Sauce!
Orzo: this baked orzo recipe, of course, needs orzo! You’ll cook it right in the same pan with the sauces and a little water or broth.
Herbs & spices: you’ll need salt, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil for garnishing.
Cheese: can’t forget about that gooey cheese! We’re mixing shredded mozzarella right into the pasta and then adding more on top to get nice and melted.

Add your favorite protein

When I first made this baked orzo I stirred in a can of my favorite tuna to give it a delicious boost of protein. The kiddos still gobbled it up! This recipe would also be perfect with:

Cooked, cubed or shredded chicken (a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken!)
Ground Italian pork or turkey sausage
Sliced chicken sausage
A can of your favorite tuna!

Simply cook your protein of choice and stir it in after you fold in the orzo.

Can I make it gluten free?

Sure! Simply use gluten free orzo or your favorite gluten free short pasta. Easy!

Go veggie-heavy

Along with the tomatoes and spinach, you could also add tons of different vegetables to really make this dish your own. Feel free to cook some bell pepper, zucchini, or even mushrooms with the tomatoes and enjoy a veggie-packed pasta!

One pan baked orzo in 5 easy steps

Make the sauce. Start by cooking down the onion, tomatoes, and garlic in a little olive oil and salt until the tomatoes break down. Stir in the spinach, pesto, tomato sauce, and broth or water.
Bake the pasta. Stir the orzo right into the pan with more salt and Italian seasoning, plus any extra protein if you’d like, then bake it all at 400 degrees until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the pasta is cooked.
Cheese it up. Remove the pan from the oven, stir in half of the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake the pasta again until the cheese is melted. Finish it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to get nice and golden brown.
Garnish & serve. Finally, top the dish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes and devour!

Storing tips

You can store any leftover homemade hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Simply reheat in the microwave.

More pasta recipes you’ll love

Get all of my pasta recipes here!

I hope you love this one pan tomato basil baked orzo! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!