First of all, thank you for being here! Whether you’re looking to level up your weeknight dinner game or you need the perfect dish to bring to a potluck, you’re in for a treat. This French Onion Orzo Bake is rich, creamy, and unbelievably comforting — it’s the love child of your favorite French onion soup and a bubbling baked pasta dish.
It’s quick to throw together, packed with that unmistakable savory onion flavor, and blanketed with melted cheese. Basically, it’s a hug in casserole form.
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Why You’ll Love This French Onion Orzo Bake
- Creamy and savory: The combination of French onion soup and sour cream makes the sauce irresistibly rich.
- Easy to make: One pan, no pre-cooking the orzo, and ready in under an hour!
- Cheesy on cheesy: With 3 cups of melty Swiss or mozzarella, it’s gloriously gooey.
- Perfect for any night: It works as a main or side dish, and it feeds a crowd.
I’m kicking myself for not having shot it the first time I made it — the golden, cheesy top is almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
🧅 What Does It Taste Like?
Imagine all the deep, caramelized flavor of French onion soup — savory, earthy, and buttery — combined with the creamy texture of baked mac and cheese. The orzo gives it a risotto-like creaminess without the constant stirring, and the melted cheese on top takes it straight into comfort food heaven.
✨ Benefits of the Recipe
- Great for meal prep — it reheats beautifully.
- Budget-friendly ingredients.
- Customizable (hello, caramelized onions or crispy onions on top? Yes, please!).
- Crowd-pleaser — rated 4.3 stars by readers for a reason!
📝 Ingredients
- 2 cups orzo, uncooked
- 3½ cups vegetable broth (chicken broth works too)
- 1 can condensed French onion soup (about 10.5 oz)
- 8 oz sour cream (full-fat preferred)
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese, divided (you can use a mix!)
Optional: grated Parmesan for topping
🧂 Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Oven (preheated to 450°F)
- Foil (optional for covering edges)
🍴 Ingredient Swaps & Additions
- Sour cream: Can sub with Greek yogurt for a tangier twist.
- Vegetable broth: Swap with chicken broth for deeper flavor.
- Cheese options: Gruyère or fontina work beautifully here too.
- Add-ins: Caramelized onions, mushrooms, or leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Topping: Crispy fried onions or a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for crunch.
👩🍳 How to Make French Onion Orzo Bake
1. Preheat
Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix Everything in the Dish
In the dish, add:
- Uncooked orzo
- Vegetable broth
- Condensed French onion soup
- Sour cream
- French onion soup mix
- Thyme, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Stir everything well until fully combined.
3. Bake, Part 1
Cover loosely with foil (optional) and bake for 35 minutes. The orzo should be tender and the mixture thickened.
4. Add Cheese & Finish Baking
Sprinkle the remaining 2½ cups of cheese over the top and return to the oven for 15 minutes, until the top is golden, bubbly, and irresistible.
5. Serve Warm
Scoop into bowls or plates and serve immediately. For even more flavor, sprinkle with a bit of Parmesan and a pinch of black pepper.
🥗 What to Serve with This Dish
- Fresh green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or crusty baguette
- Roasted vegetables (carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans)
- Grilled or roasted chicken if you want a heartier meal
🔥 Tips for the Best Orzo Bake
- Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce — it adds depth that mimics the richness of slow-cooked onions.
- Stir your ingredients well before baking so the orzo cooks evenly.
- Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes after baking for easier slicing.
- Want it extra creamy? Stir in a splash of cream or milk before baking.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly for up to 1 month.
- To reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave in 1-minute intervals, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
ℹ️ General Info
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Allergens: Milk, wheat, gluten
- Servings: 6–8 generous portions
- Calories: ~430 per serving
- ⭐ Rated 4.3 by 8 reviewers and growing!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can assemble everything in the dish up to 1 day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
Can I use rice instead of orzo?
Orzo has a unique texture that works best, but you can try parboiled rice and adjust the liquid and baking time as needed.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free orzo and check that your soup mix is certified gluten-free.
Is this kid-friendly?
Very! The cheesy, creamy texture and subtle onion flavor usually go over well with picky eaters — just go light on the pepper if needed.
🧀 Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 430–450
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 39g
- Protein: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
(Nutrition will vary based on brands and optional add-ins.)
🥄 Similar Recipes You’ll Love
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells
- One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese
- Loaded Potato Soup
- French Onion Chicken Skillet
🧡 Final Thoughts
If comfort food had a personality, this French Onion Orzo Bake would be the cozy best friend who brings you soup when you’re sick and cheese when you’re sad. It’s creamy, filling, low-fuss, and deeply satisfying.
Once you try it, it just might earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation — and if you top it with some crispy onions, don’t be surprised if someone asks for seconds before they finish their first bite.
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