Skillet Pizza Pesto Orzo

5 from 1 vote

This Skillet Pizza Pesto Orzo is a cozy hug in a dish, marrying the heartiness of pasta with the zesty flavors of pizza. It's a cinch to whip up, with orzo pasta bathed in a rich pesto sauce, dotted with juicy tomatoes, and layered under a blanket of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 585kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
2 cups orzo
3 cups chicken broth low sodium
14 ounces diced tomatoes
8 ounces prepared pesto sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
½ cup mini pepperoni slices
¼ cup black olives sliced
fresh basil chopped, for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Stir in the orzo, coating it well with the oil and onion mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in the pesto sauce and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
As the orzo is finishing cooking, preheat your oven’s broiler.
Once the orzo is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top, then add the mini pepperoni slices and black olives.
Place the skillet under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped basil.

Notes

Watch the Orzo: Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks to prevent it from getting too mushy.
Adjust the Cheese: Feel free to add more or less cheese to suit your taste.
Get Creative with Toppings: Swap out pepperoni for other pizza favorites like mushrooms or bell peppers for a twist.
Broil Carefully: Stay close to the oven when broiling; the cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly.
Leftovers Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition