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Cozy Creamy French Onion Orzo Bake Recipe with Crispy Gruyère Crust

French onion orzo bake - featured image
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A comforting and elegant creamy orzo bake featuring slow caramelized onions and a crispy Gruyère cheese crust, perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta (about 270g)
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (960ml)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
  • 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese (about 150g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup white wine (60ml, optional)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the onions (about 30 minutes): Heat 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally, allowing the onions to soften and turn a rich golden brown. If using, add ¼ cup white wine after about 20 minutes and cook until nearly evaporated. Reduce heat and add a splash of broth if onions start to stick or burn.
  2. Cook the orzo (8-10 minutes): Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups orzo and cook until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. Make the creamy sauce: In the skillet with caramelized onions, sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and stir for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw taste. Gradually whisk in 4 cups broth and ½ cup heavy cream until the sauce thickens and becomes silky. Add minced garlic and chopped thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine orzo and sauce: Stir the cooked orzo into the creamy onion sauce. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup grated Gruyère and ½ cup Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
  5. Assemble the bake: Transfer the orzo mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup Gruyère cheese, spreading evenly to form the crispy crust.
  6. Bake (15-20 minutes): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the orzo until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
  7. Rest and serve: Let the bake sit for 5 minutes before serving to set slightly for easier portioning.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep sweetness and avoid burning. Use freshly grated Gruyère for best melting and crust. Orzo should be cooked just shy of al dente before baking. Rest the bake after cooking to allow it to set and thicken. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion, orzo bake, Gruyère crust, creamy orzo, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/cozy-creamy-french-onion-orzo-bake-recipe-with-crispy-gruy-e-re-crust/