Halloumi & Butternut Squash Orzo Bake Recipe
A comforting and flavorful Halloumi & Butternut Squash Orzo Bake featuring roasted butternut squash, sweet cherry tomatoes, and salty halloumi cheese baked together with herbed orzo pasta. This easy-to-make vegetarian dish combines the sweetness of roasted vegetables with the satisfying texture of orzo and crispy halloumi topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 Red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Butternut squash, prepared, frozen cubes if possible
- 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 250 g (9 oz) Cherry tomatoes
Other Ingredients
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 300 g (11 oz) Dry orzo
- 700 ml (3 cups) Vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp Pesto
- 225 g (8 oz) Halloumi, cut into 2cm cubes
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 200℃/400℉ fan, 220℃/425℉ conventional, or Gas Mark 7.
- Roast vegetables: In a roasting dish, combine the onion wedges, butternut squash cubes, and crushed garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything thoroughly to coat. Spread out evenly and roast uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Add orzo and liquids: After roasting, add the dry orzo pasta, vegetable stock, cherry tomatoes, and pesto to the roasting dish. Mix gently to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Top with halloumi: Arrange the halloumi cubes on top of the orzo mixture without stirring them in to maintain their texture.
- Bake until cooked: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 25 minutes until the halloumi is golden brown on top and the orzo is tender and cooked through. Check the orzo at 15 minutes; if not done, continue baking. If the dish looks dry before the orzo is cooked, add a splash of water to help it finish cooking.
- Optional stirring: Although generally avoided to keep the halloumi crispy, you may carefully stir the dish gently after 10-15 minutes if you feel the orzo is cooking unevenly, trying to leave the halloumi cubes on top.
Notes
- Careful stirring midway through baking can help the orzo cook evenly but may soften the halloumi topping, so try to leave it on top.
- Frozen butternut squash cubes are a convenient alternative that works well in this bake.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the orzo brand; checking regularly is recommended.
