French Onion Orzo Bake Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Orzo Bake is a comforting twist on classic French onion soup, combining caramelized onions with tender orzo pasta and rich cheeses. This bake is creamy, savory, and perfect for a cozy dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 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
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until they are deeply golden and caramelized. Patience is key to develop the rich flavor.
2. Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan by adding the balsamic vinegar, stirring well to lift any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Step 3: Add the dry orzo pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Step 4: Stir in half of the Gruyère and mozzarella cheese until the mixture is creamy. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyère, mozzarella, and all the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
6. Step 6: Allow the bake to cool for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley or chives, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• To deepen the onion flavor, use a mix of yellow and sweet onions.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
• Experiment with cheese combinations—Gruyère and mozzarella provide creaminess, but try aged gouda or fontina for a different twist.
• Make sure to cook the onions slowly over low heat to avoid burning and achieve perfect caramelization.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of broth or cream during reheating can help restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can caramelize the onions and cook the orzo mixture in advance, then store it covered in the refrigerator. Before serving, add the cheese topping and bake as directed.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the orzo mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese topping and baking.

French Onion Orzo Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

This French Onion Orzo Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining the rich, caramelized sweetness of slowly cooked onions with creamy orzo pasta and melted cheese. It’s an easy one-pan meal perfect for a cozy dinner, featuring layers of buttered onions, garlic, thyme, balsamic vinegar, Swiss-style cheeses, and a luscious creamy broth base baked to bubbly perfection.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Onion Mixture

• 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

Orzo & Dairy

• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 2 cups beef broth, low sodium preferred
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 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 with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring often, until the onions become deeply golden and caramelized. This slow cooking process is essential for developing the rich flavor of the dish.
2. Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for an additional minute to release the aroma of the garlic. Then, deglaze the pan by adding the balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom to intensify the flavor.
3. Add Orzo and Liquids: Stir in the dry orzo pasta, then pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat slightly, and cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is mostly tender and the liquid has mostly absorbed.
4. Add Cheese: Incorporate half of the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheese into the orzo mixture, stirring well to achieve a creamy consistency. Then sprinkle the remaining Gruyère, mozzarella, and all of the Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
6. Garnish & Serve: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes after baking. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives if desired, and serve warm for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Notes

• To make this vegetarian, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
• If you don’t have Gruyère, Swiss cheese works well as a substitute.
• For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth if available.
• Make sure to cook the onions slowly, as this step is key to developing the deep, sweet flavor of the dish.
• This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free orzo pasta.

Keywords: French Onion Orzo Bake, caramelized onions, orzo pasta bake, Gruyère cheese bake, easy oven dinner