Description
This Meatball Orzo Bake is an easy, delicious one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining hearty meatballs with tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tomato sauce, it’s a comforting dish baked to perfection. Ready in around 30 minutes, it’s a no-fuss family favorite that’s both filling and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 340 g Meatballs
- 1 Onion (peeled and chopped)
- 3 Garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)
- 300 g Broccoli
- 1/2 tsp Chilli flakes
- 2 tsp Sweet smoked paprika
- 300 g Dried orzo (uncooked)
- 500 g Passata
- 600 ml Vegetable stock (made with a cube is fine)
- 75 g Mozzarella
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200℃ fan/220℃/Gas Mark 7/400℉ to prepare for baking the dish.
- Combine Initial Ingredients: In a baking dish, add the meatballs, chopped onion, garlic, broccoli, chilli flakes, sweet smoked paprika, olive oil, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Initial Bake: Place the uncovered baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes to start cooking the meatballs and soften the vegetables.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir in the dried orzo, passata, and vegetable stock. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Cover and Continue Baking: Cover the baking dish with a lid or tin foil and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes. Check at 15 minutes to ensure the orzo is cooking properly. If it needs more time, continue baking. If the dish looks dry, add a splash of water.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: Remove the cover and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for a final 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Check that the orzo is fully cooked through. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty Meatball Orzo Bake.
Notes
- This recipe is made entirely in one dish, making cleanup quick and easy.
- Cooking times for orzo can vary depending on the brand; monitor closely after 15 minutes when baking.
- If the dish begins to dry out during baking, add a splash of water to maintain moisture.
- This one-pot meal is ideal for a quick, family-friendly dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 674 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 832 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 79 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 76 mg
