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+ servings

California Baked Orzo with Halloumi and Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

A sunny twist on a Greek classic, this baked orzo with halloumi is loaded with roasted veggies and bright flavors.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: dinner, Mediterranean, Pasta, vegetarian
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3/4 pounds salad tomatoes cut into wedges
  • 2 large red onions cut into wedges
  • 3 medium zucchini cut into chunks
  • 1 1/4 cups orzo pasta
  • 1 pound halloumi cheese two 8-ounce blocks, sliced into thin pieces
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives pitted
  • 1 large Meyer lemon cut into wedges
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth low-sodium preferred
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • to taste kosher salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large baking dish, combine the tomato wedges, zucchini chunks, and red onion wedges. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle with dried oregano and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss everything with a spatula to coat evenly. Roast for 25 minutes.
  3. After 25 minutes, remove the dish from the oven. Scatter the orzo over the roasted vegetables, then pour in the vegetable broth. Stir gently to make sure the orzo is mostly submerged. Add the pitted kalamata olives, then cover the dish tightly with foil. Return to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
  4. While the orzo bakes, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the halloumi slices for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
  5. When the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, remove the dish from the oven. Drizzle with red wine vinegar and the remaining 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Top with the fried halloumi and lemon wedges, then serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 24gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12g

Notes

Choose ripe, colorful tomatoes and zucchini for the best flavor. Cut vegetables into uniform sizes so they roast evenly. Halloumi can be pan-fried ahead and kept warm; it also tastes great cold. For a vegetarian main, this dish is naturally meat-free. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

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