Ⓥ Pesto Caprese Orzo Bake

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups of cherry tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 8 oz of vegan pesto, store bought or use my recipe: https://veganyogamomma.com/2022/08/11/quick-pesto-%e2%93%a5/
• 8 oz of orzo, uncooked
• 3 tbsp banana peppers, chopped
• 1 & 1/2 cups of vegetable broth or water
• 1 & 1/2 cups of shredded vegan mozzarella cheese

METHOD:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Take a 9 x 13 baking dish. Add the tomatoes, garlic, shallots, salt, pepper, red pepper chili flakes & olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove the dish from the oven, add the orzo, pesto, banana peppers & vegetable broth or water, mix well & return to the oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven, stir well, add the vegan mozzarella cheese shreds & bake it for another 10 minutes. It’s ready when the cheese is melted & the sauce is bubbly. You can garnish with fresh basil & serve it hot with vegan garlic bread. Enjoy!