Homemade Butternut Squash Bake Recipe
This Homemade Butternut Squash Bake is a delicious, hearty, and colorful all-in-one dish featuring roasted butternut squash, red onion, garlic, and juicy cherry tomatoes mixed with orzo pasta, topped with pesto and golden halloumi cheese. It is oven-baked to perfection, combining savory roasted vegetables with creamy cheese and herby flavors for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 42 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 lb cherry tomatoes
- Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
For the 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, add the red onion wedges, cubed butternut squash, and crushed garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle over the paprika, and season generously with sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss all the ingredients together so that the veggies are well coated in the oil and seasonings. Spread them out in an even layer and roast uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Add Orzo, Tomatoes, Pesto, and Halloumi: After 30 minutes of roasting, remove the roasting dish from the oven. Add the dry orzo pasta, vegetable broth, cherry tomatoes, and pesto to the roasted vegetables. Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well submerged in the broth. Place the cubed halloumi cheese on top of the mixture. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-25 minutes, or until the halloumi is golden and the orzo is cooked through. Check for doneness at the 15-minute mark, as orzo cooking time can vary depending on the brand. If the dish appears to be drying out, add a splash of water.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the halloumi is golden and the orzo is tender, remove the dish from the oven. Give everything a gentle stir before serving to distribute the flavors evenly. Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before plating. Enjoy this colorful, all-in-one bake straight from the oven for the best texture and taste! Optionally, scatter some fresh basil or parsley over the top just before serving for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen butternut squash cubes depending on availability.
- If the orzo is drying out during baking, add a splash of water to keep it moist while cooking.
- Using good-quality pesto adds vibrant flavor, but feel free to use your favorite variety.
- Halloumi cheese browns beautifully and adds a salty, chewy texture – make sure to watch it closely towards the end of baking to avoid burning.
- For garnish, fresh herbs like basil or parsley brighten the dish and enhance flavor.
Keywords: Butternut Squash Bake, vegetarian bake, halloumi recipe, roasted vegetables, one-pan dinner, orzo pasta bake, easy healthy dinner, Mediterranean vegetarian recipe
