Greek Orzo Bake Recipes

YOUVETSI (TRADITIONAL GREEK ORZO BAKE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook meat until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the orzo. Saute until slightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer orzo to a baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Remove meat from the saucepan and place on top of the orzo. Pour tomato sauce evenly over meat. Add hot water. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until all water is absorbed and orzo is soft, about 1 hour. If the dish becomes too dry, add more water during baking.

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN AND ORZO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the orzo: Whisk together the stock, butter, salt, cornstarch, dill, lemon zest and juice and garlic in a bowl. Mix in the orzo.
• For the chicken: In a separate bowl, mix together the coriander, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken all over with the seasoning.
• Pour the stock/orzo mixture into a glass 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the chicken breasts, laying them at an angle so all but the tops of the breasts are submerged. Shingle the lemon slices in between the chicken breasts.
• Bake, uncovered, until the chicken registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with the chopped parsley before serving.

GREEK ORZO WITH FETA

Steps:

• Stir together olive oil, lemon juice, olives, tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, garlic, oregano, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and toss the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to serve.

GREEK CHICKEN ORZO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix tomatoes, spinach, about half of the cheese, the olive oil and oregano; stir in cooked pasta. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Drizzle broth over pasta mixture. In same bowl, mix chicken and seasoning until well coated. Place chicken pieces over orzo mixture; cover with foil.
• Bake 45 minutes; remove foil, top with remaining cheese. Bake 4 to 5 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Top with grated lemon peel and green onions.

GREEK ORZO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Cook Orzo until al dente.
• While the orzo is cooking, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
• Stir in tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Turn off heat.
• Add the olives, oregano and basil to the pan and mix well.
• Add the drained orzo, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil and stir.
• Add salt and pepper to taste (keep in mind the olives are pretty salty, so you don't need to add much).
• Transfer to an oven-proof covered baking dish and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove, serve and enjoy!

BAKED ORZO AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add in the green onions and garlic; saute/stir for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
• Add in the orzo; stir constantly/cook 1 minute longer.
• Add in broth, salt and pepper to taste; bring to a boil.
• Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add in Parmesan and parsley; stir.
• Bake, covered, in a 350° oven for 35-40 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

ORZO BAKED WITH GREEK CHEESES

Steps:

• Pour broth into large pot. Add enough water to broth to almost fill pot. Add salt and bring to boil. Stir in orzo and boil until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Return to pot. Mix in cream, oil, feta and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 1 1/2-quart baking dish. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle orzo with cheese. Bake until heated through, about 40 minutes.