Homemade Butternut Squash and Halloumi Orzo Bake Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Homemade Butternut Squash Bake combining roasted vegetables with tender orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, vibrant pesto, and golden halloumi cheese. This all-in-one dish is perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal, baked to perfection to bring out rich textures and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Vegetables and Orzo
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 1 lb butternut squash, cubed (fresh or frozen)
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 lb cherry tomatoes
Topping
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 8 oz halloumi cheese, cubed (about 2 cm pieces)
Instructions
- Prepare and Roast the Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 200℃/400°F fan (or 220℃/425°F/Gas Mark 7). In a large roasting dish, combine the red onion wedges, cubed butternut squash, and crushed garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, and season generously with sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss everything together to coat the vegetables evenly and spread them out in a single layer. Roast uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Add Orzo, Tomatoes, Pesto, and Halloumi: Remove the roasting dish from the oven after 30 minutes. Add the dry orzo pasta, vegetable broth, cherry tomatoes, and pesto to the roasted vegetables. Mix thoroughly to ensure the orzo is submerged in the broth. Arrange the cubed halloumi cheese evenly on top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-25 minutes, checking at 15 minutes for doneness. Add a splash of water if the dish starts to dry out.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the halloumi is golden and the orzo is tender, remove the dish from the oven. Gently stir to distribute flavors evenly. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, scatter fresh basil or parsley on top for an extra burst of freshness. Enjoy warm as a wholesome, colorful bake.
Notes
- Use a good-quality pesto for the best flavor impact.
- If the orzo is not fully cooked after 25 minutes, add a little more broth or water and bake longer.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley enhance the final presentation and taste.
- To save time, you can prepare the vegetables in advance and roast just before adding the orzo and cheese.
- Halloumi browns nicely in the oven but if you prefer a softer cheese topping, you can substitute with mozzarella.
Keywords: Butternut squash bake, vegetarian bake, roasted vegetables, halloumi bake, orzo pasta recipe, Mediterranean vegetarian dish
