Creamy Baked Orzo With Meatballs
Creamy Baked Orzo With Meatballs is a delightful, comforting dish that combines tender orzo pasta and savory meatballs smothered in a rich marinara sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe brings the warmth of Italian cuisine right to your kitchen. With easy preparation and customizable ingredients, it’s a meal everyone will love. Serve it alongside a fresh salad or garlic bread for an unforgettable dining experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves approximately six people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into small meatballs.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides (about 8-10 minutes), then remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, toast the orzo for 2-3 minutes until golden. Add marinara sauce and heavy cream; stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the orzo mixture to a greased baking dish, nestle in the meatballs, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (300g)
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg