This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion.
![This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion. dish of creamy chard pesto baked orzo with spoonful sitting on top](jpg/creamy-chard-pesto-baked-orzo-photo.jpg)
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I don't know about anyone else, but I find these in-betweeny seasons tricky for food. It can be hard to decide what mood you are in. Do you want something light and summery to get you in the mood for the warmer weather that's (hopefully) coming? Or something more warm and comforting, that may be more fitting?
We got even more snow on Sunday making it officially the snowiest winter on record in Boston. I guess if you're going to have to put up with it (because the liking it part was a bit hard to sustain), you may as well break a record.
![This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion. dish with creamy chard pesto baked orzo](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/creamy-chard-pesto-baked-orzo-picture.jpg)
But I digress, back to the food. This chard pesto and mozzarella orzo bake tries to bridge that seasonal gap. It's nicely warm and comforting, but with some colors and flavors of warmer weather. It's also incredibly tasty, with oozing mozzarella, a tasty creamy sauce and the freshness of basil and lemon.
I call this a creamy chard pesto, but I really use the loosest sense of the word pesto. It's not like my more traditional arugula pesto as it has a creamier consistency and some lemon in there too. These additions make it a little smoother, and seem slightly decadent, but also fresh-tasting, too.
Either way, it's delicious and easy to make. The flavors work really well together and make a nice change to a more traditional pesto.
![bowl of creamy chard pesto bowl of creamy chard pesto with chard leaf behind](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/creamy-chard-pesto-picture.jpg)
How to make this comforting baked orzo
As with a typical orzo bake (like my cheesy orzo pasta bake, and other pasta bakes), the vegetables and pasta are largely cooked before it goes in the oven. The baking then helps the flavors meld, the cheese go gooey and a slight crispness form on top, but none of that takes very long.
If you wish, you can skip putting it in the oven and miss out the mozzarella to make it super-quick and a little lighter. However, you would then miss out on the delicious gooey mozzarella working its way through the dish. Personally I think the time in the oven is worth the wait, but feel free to experiment.
![orzo pesto veg mixture in baking dish orzo, peso and vegetable mix in baking dish before baking](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pre-bake-creamy-chard-pesto-baked-orzo.jpg)
While there's a reasonable amount of cream and cheese, there's also lots of good vegetables in this orzo bake. This makes it a nice dish for sneaking them in to toddlers, or other fussier eaters, without them particularly noticing as there's lots of other yummy distractions.
Top tip: change the vegetables to taste
While I suggest adding some onion, pepper and zucchini in with the pasta, sauce and cheese, you could certainly use other vegetables based on what you have and prefer.
I recommend onion for a little added flavor and slight sweetness, but other options could include peas, diced carrot or small pieces of broccoli.
Whatever you use, I recommend pre-cooking to al-dente as they won't cook that much in with the pasta.
Overall, this orzo bake is a really tasty dish, packed with flavor and so easy to eat. It will have everyone coming back for more, and wanting it again soon.
![This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion. creamy chard pesto baked orzo with spoonful sitting on top and cheese pull](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/creamy-chard-pesto-baked-orzo-spoon-pic.jpg)
Try these other comforting pasta recipes:
- Bacon sun-dried tomato pasta with spinach and cream
- Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake
- Spicy sausage pasta skillet
- Gnocchi alla Romana (semolina gnocchi so not quite pasta but close, and oh so comforting, too)
- Plus get more main dishes recipes in the archives.
I use my 8in baking dish (the larger from the set linked) for this which works well (affiliate link).
Creamy chard pesto baked orzo
Ingredients
For creamy chard pesto
- 3 oz chard 85g, weight without stems - about ½ bunch
- ¾ oz basil 20g, leaves only
- 1 oz almonds 30g
- ½ lemon zest
- ¼ cup creme fraiche 60g
- 1 oz grated parmesan 30g, plus a little more to top
- ¼ cup virgin olive oil 60ml (or extra virgin)
For rest of dish
- 1 onion small, diced
- 1 red pepper diced relatively small
- 1 zucchini courgette, diced relatively small
- 8 oz orzo pasta 225g
- 4 oz mozzarella 115g
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F/190C.
- Remove the leaves from the chard and blanche them in a pan of boiling water - cook them for around 1-2 minutes until soft and leaves darken slightly. Remove the leaves, allow to cool and drain well by squeezing out excess liquid.
- While chard is cooling, heat a little olive oil in a skillet/ frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for a minute then add the zucchini. After another couple minutes add the red pepper.
- Meanwhile cook the pasta in a pan of boiling water with a little salt until the pasta is just cooked.
- While everything is cooking, squeeze out any excess liquid from the chard, roughly chop then put the chard and basil in a food processor and pulse to break up well. Then add the almonds and lemon zest, pulse again to chop and mix, then add the creme fraiche and parmesan. Finally add the olive oil in a steady stream with the food processor running and pulse until smooth and well blended together.
- Once the pasta is cooked, the vegetables should be as well, so drain the pasta and add the vegetables and the sauce and mix well.
- Tear/cut the mozzarella in to small pieces (see note) and add, mix through then transfer to an oven dish. You can also mix everything directly in the dish. Sprinkle some extra parmesan on top and bake for 20-30 minutes until lightly brown (20 will be slightly crisp, 30 a bit darker and more crispy, cook as long as you prefer).
- Serve while still hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
This post was first shared in March 2015 and has been updated, primarily with new photos and added video.
Remember to pin for later!
![This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion. This creamy chard pesto baked orzo has all the comfort factor you would want in colder weather with that bit of freshness, too. It has plenty of gooey cheese, but lots of healthy veg as well. Perfect for any occasion.](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/creamy-chard-pesto-baked-orzo-pin.jpg)
Ivana
Wow, this looks seriously amazing -- and perfect for meal prep. Thank you!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, it's definitely one tasty meal!
sarah
This was tasty! Loved all the veggies. I've had a lot of issues finding creme fraiche, this time I substituted it for full fat coconut milk, turned out nicely.
Looks like the recipe was supposed to have garlic in it based on the write up so I added some to the sauce.
Thanks for sharing!
Caroline's Cooking
I'm really glad you liked it, Sarah, and thanks for letting me know. I'm sure coconut milk was tasty - you can also use cream if you can't find creme fraiche, and maybe add a little lemon juice. Yes I did mention garlic but checking my notes, I didn't write it down and now can't remember if I added or not! I think it would be good either way, though.
Julia | Orchard Street Kitchen
This looks absolutely fabulous! I love orzo and am always looking for new ways to use it, so thank you for the inspiration. You really can't go wrong when orzo and mozzarella are involved. And let's hope all the snow is over - I'm in Chicago, and we haven't fared much better than you guys in Boston!
Caroline's Cooking
Yes, I hear you've had it pretty cold and snowy too. Lets hope spring comes soon! Thanks for stopping by, Julia, and I hope you manage to give his a try and like it.
Josette
I am all about cheesy pasta casseroles... the chard pesto makes this one ultra-fabulous!! Nice!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Josette, I know what you mean and this one is tasty!
Charlotte
This looks insanely good! I haven't had orzo in ages and like you, struggle with what to make this time of year. Too warm for soups, and I need something heartier than a big salad. This looks perfect, thank you!!
Stopping in from SITS Sharefest--hope you're having a great weekend!
Julie @ HostessAtHeart
I love Boston, but quite frankly had no desire to visit this winter. Hoping you can thaw out soon. This dish reminds me of spring with all of the fresh ingredients and looks delicious.
Caroline's Cooking
I hope so too, we had yet more snow today - it's getting a bit much! This dish is indeed tasty, I hope you manage to try it.
Margy@lapetitecasserole
I have a package of orzo in my pantry... thanks a lot for sharing this recipe! I just needed a good idea to use it!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Margy - I have a few things in my cupboards like that, just waiting for inspiration! Great when it comes, though. I hope you manage to make this and enjoy it.
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen
So gorgeous and delicious! I'm always looking for new ways to cook with orzo. I definitely need to make this soon!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Ashlyn, I hope you like it!
Dini @ Giramuk's Kitchen
I love the flavours here Caroline! 🙂 Pesto is one of my favourites too! Pinning and adding it to the menu at home soon! 🙂
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Dini, I am a big pesto fan as well (in fact just made some more!). I hope you enjoy it!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
That looks delicious, Caroline! I'm going to add it to the menu lineup! I have a feeling my family would love it!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Michelle, it was certainly a hit in our house, I hope your family likes it as well!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake
Ooh this looks really good Caroline, love the combo of comforting and fresh!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Michelle. Yes it's nice to have both!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
Yum, this looks so good, I love all the veggies! The perfect dish for the transitioning seasons.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Joy, yes lots of veggies (which you can change up, of course), and just the thing for this time of year.
Loretta
What a brilliant idea adding the odding the orzo for pasta. Sometimes I find the larger pastas kind of take over the dish, this is a great combination with the smaller pasta and all your greens. Gorgeous!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Loretta. I know what you mean, the orzo also just slides down so it's all really easy to eat as well.