Creamy Baked Orzo with Meatballs Recipe
Creamy Baked Orzo with Meatballs is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring tender orzo pasta baked in a flavorful mixture of tomato soup and broth, combined with savory chicken meatballs and fresh cherry tomatoes. Topped with Parmesan cheese, garlic, butter, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil, this recipe delivers a rich, creamy texture and savory Italian-inspired flavors—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Broth
- 16 ounces DeLallo orzo
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups ready-to-serve tomato soup
Meat and Vegetables
- 2–3 cups premade chicken meatballs (store-bought frozen or homemade)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Toppings and Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh basil leaves for topping
- DeLallo Private Reserve Olive Oil for topping
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Combine: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the orzo, vegetable or chicken broth, tomato soup, chicken meatballs, and halved cherry tomatoes. Stir everything together to evenly coat and mix the ingredients.
- Bake and Check: Bake the dish uncovered for 25 minutes. After this, give the orzo a gentle stir and check its texture. If the orzo isn’t fully tender and hasn’t absorbed most of the liquid, bake for an additional 10 minutes. Once done, fluff the orzo with a fork and stir in any remaining liquid around the edges to help break down the tomatoes and release more juices. If the orzo looks dry as it sits, you can add more tomato soup or broth to keep it creamy.
- Add Parmesan, Garlic, and Butter: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and butter while the orzo is still hot, allowing them to melt and incorporate evenly, creating a creamy finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with DeLallo Private Reserve Olive Oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy baked orzo with meatballs.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken meatballs with plant-based meatballs or extra vegetables.
- Adding extra broth or tomato soup as the orzo cooks can help achieve a creamier consistency.
- Fresh garlic can be substituted with garlic powder if preferred; add according to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of broth for moisture.
- For a crispier top, you can broil the dish for 2-3 minutes at the end, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Keywords: baked orzo, meatballs, creamy pasta bake, easy dinner, chicken meatballs, tomato soup, comfort food
