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French Onion Orzo Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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