Best 2 Cheesy Baked Farro Recipes

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Cheesy baked farro is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is made with farro, a nutty-flavored grain that is similar to barley, and is packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. The cheesy baked farro is also incredibly easy to make, and can be customized with a variety of ingredients to suit your taste. Whether you are looking for a hearty and satisfying meal or a light and flavorful side dish, cheesy baked farro is sure to hit the spot. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and nutritious dish that will please the whole family.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEESY BAKED FARRO



Cheesy Baked Farro image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Vegetable cooking spray
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups warm whole milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups grated Parmesan
1 cup grated Gruyere
1/2 cup fontina cheese, grated
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups faro or barley, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
Olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 8 minutes (do not allow the mixture to boil). Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • For the farro: In a large bowl, add the cheeses and stir to combine. Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and reserve. In a large stock pot, add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the farro, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the faro is tender, about 25 minutes. Drain, if necessary. Add the farro, thyme, and sauce to the bowl with the cheese. Stir until combined and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil.
  • Bake until the top is golden brown and forms a crust, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

CHEESY BAKED FARRO



Cheesy Baked Farro image

Categories     Bread     Sauce     Chicken     Bake     Low Sodium     Simmer     Boil

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Vegetable oil cooking spray
Sauce
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups warm milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Farro
6 cups (1 1/2 quarts) low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups farro, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 cups assorted mushrooms (such as button, cremini, or portobello), cleaned and sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) grated Gruyère cheese
1/2 cup (about 1 ounce) grated Fontina cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 8 minutes (do not allow the mixture to boil). Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
  • For the farro: In an 8-quart stockpot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the farro, lower the heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain if necessary.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender.
  • In a large bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, Gruyère cheese, Fontina cheese, and thyme. Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside. Add the cooked farro, sauce, and mushroom mixture to the cheeses. Stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the 1/2 cup reserved cheese mixture. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil.
  • Bake until the top is golden brown and forms a crust, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • Choose the right farro: Semi-pearled farro is the best choice for this recipe, as it has a slightly chewy texture and cooks in about 25 minutes.
  • Rinse the farro: Be sure to rinse the farro well before cooking to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the farro will add a lot of flavor to the dish, so choose a broth that you enjoy the taste of. Vegetable broth, chicken broth, or beef broth are all good options.
  • Add vegetables to your liking: Feel free to add any vegetables that you like to this recipe. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and spinach.
  • Don't overcook the farro: Farro should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slightly chewy texture. Overcooking will make the farro mushy.
  • Use a good quality cheese: The cheese you use in this recipe will also make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavor, such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère.
  • Broil the farro until golden brown: Broiling the farro at the end of the cooking process will give it a nice golden brown color and a slightly crispy texture.

Conclusion:

Cheesy baked farro is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover farro. This recipe is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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