Zucchini And Orzo Casserole Recipes

BAKED ORZO WITH TOMATOES, ROASTED PEPPERS AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, and add the orzo. Cook eight minutes, or until it is cooked through but still firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with the diced roasted pepper and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, wide skillet. Add the zucchini and cook - stirring and turning over the slices, or tossing them in the pan - until just cooked through and lightly colored, about five minutes. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo.
• Return the pan to the heat, add the final tablespoon of oil and the garlic. Cook just until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes and salt to taste. Cook, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo, add the Parmesan or goat cheese, and mix everything together. Add freshly ground pepper to taste, and adjust salt. Transfer to the baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is just beginning to color. Serve hot or warm.

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.

ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Stir in the orzo and cook according to package directions for al dente; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallion whites and zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the orzo, scallion greens, parsley, mint and 1 cup water. Simmer, uncovered, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the feta.

ZUCCHINI AND GROUND BEEF ORZO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Cook squash, Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in oil 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash has started to soften but is still crisp-tender. Transfer to large bowl; stir together with orzo.
• In same skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef, onion, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain, and add to bowl with squash. Add crushed tomatoes, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, thyme and pepper flakes; stir to combine. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbling on edges and completely heated through. Top with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; let stand 5 minutes.

ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine zucchini and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 minute or until crisp-tender; drain. , Drain orzo; place in a large bowl. Add the zucchini, feta cheese, oil, oregano, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Serve warm or chilled.

ONE-POT ORZO WITH TOMATOES, CORN AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet, for which you have a lid, set over medium. And the onions, lightly season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the zucchini and garlic, and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring often.
• Add the tomatoes, basil, red-pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have completely collapsed, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and tomato paste and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the orzo, corn, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, mix well, and turn the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan 3 or 4 times, until the pasta is cooked. The pasta should look "saucy" as it cooks; if at any point it looks dry, add another 1/4 cup water.
• Off the heat, add the mozzarella and Parmesan and stir gently until just combined. Top with fresh basil and more red-pepper flakes if desired, and serve hot.

BAKED ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Lightly oil heatproof baking dish.
• Heat water in covered saucepan. When at a rapid boil, cook orzo until almost tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic, leeks and zucchini slices for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
• Drain orzo and place in baking dish. Stir in marinara sauce, salt and pepper and spice mix. Top with half the cheese.
• Arrange zucchini and leek slices on top of orzo, and top with remaining mozzarella.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until mozzarella melts. During last 5 minutes, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

PESTO ORZO WITH ROASTED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place zucchini in a bowl and season with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until all slices are moistened. Spread on a large baking sheet.
• Roast zucchini in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip the slices and continue roasting until tender and browned, about 10 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and vegetable bouillon; cook until orzo is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan and cook onion until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in pesto sauce. Cut zucchini rounds into 4 pieces and add to the frying pan. Add cooked orzo, stirring until it absorbs the pesto sauce. Add cherry tomatoes last; stir for about 30 seconds. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.