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Yields:
1 - 4 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Pizza or pasta—it’s a paralyzing predicament Italian food lovers know all too well. But what if I told you that you actually don’t have to decide between the two? That you can have both deliciously cheesy meals all in one? Well, it’s true. Because Ambitious Kitchen founder/foodie Monique Volz came up with a glorious creation called Pepperoni Pizza Baked Orzo. And my goodness, do you ever need to try it.Â
Monique, whose perfectly extra recipes you’ve probably definitely seen on IG, Pinterest, and TikTok, came up with this dish as a means of satisfying both her pizza-obsessed husband and her pasta-loving little ones. “The whole family tears into this one-dish pasta that hits every craving,” she says, adding that it’s “the best sweet and spicy combo” thanks to a solid drizzle of hot honey.Â
She gave Cosmo a sneak peek at the recipe (tysm, we love you), ahead of the launch of her first-ever cookbook, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook, which officially hits shelves on September 17. Read on and prepare thy pan for all the cheesy goodness...
Step 3Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the orzo is cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4Stir ½ cup of the mozzarella into the orzo. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top, then evenly arrange pepperoni slices on the cheese. Place the skillet back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Switch the oven to the broiler setting on high and broil until the cheese is slightly golden in places, 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 5Top and serve: Drizzle with the hot honey, then sprinkle with the Parmesan, basil, and a little flaky sea salt. Serve immediately.
Step 6To store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
PRO TIP: Amp up the ’roni by stirring in 3 ounces of chopped pepperoni slices with the orzo!
Sooo...I don’t know about you, but I know what I’m making for dinner tonight. (*Instacarts a package of pepperonis*) You can find more creative mains—plus 124 other recipes for every meal of the day—in Monique’s long-awaited cookbook, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook, which would also look v chic on your coffee table, just sayin’.
I’d cop a copy ASAP if I were you—it’s pretty much a one-way ticket to dinner party domination. But you can also find more yummy stuff on Monique’s socials while you wait for it to arrive. Just search the handle @ambitiouskitchen on all platforms and BOOM—feel-good food your roommate, mom, and partner will all drool over when you make it for them (how kind of you!).
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can't afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
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