Farro Bake with Pesto and Kale

baked farro with kale on a plate next to a baking dish and napkin

This creamy baked farro relies on pantry staples like uncooked farro and pesto. It's so easy to put together for a hands-off dinner that's still comforting and delicious.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings 1.5-cup servings

Calories 621kcal

Author Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Equipment

9x13 baking dish (with a lid if available)

Ingredients

1.5 cups uncooked pearled farro rinsed
1 bunch lacinato kale stems removed and chopped, about 6 cups
2.5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice from ½ a large lemon
2 teaspoons lemon zest from 1 lemon
¾ cup pesto
8 ounce mozzarella balls torn into smaller pieces

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F/204 degrees C.
Combine the rinsed farro and chopped kale in a 9x13 baking dish.
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer (not a boil). Stir in the lemon juice and zest and pesto. Bring the mixture to a simmer again. Remove from heat.
Pour the pesto/broth mixture over the farro and kale in the baking dish. Stir to combine.
Cover the baking dish with a lid (if it comes with one) or tightly with foil. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the broth is absorbed and the farro is tender. If for some reason your farro is not cooked but the broth has been absorbed, add a few tablespoons of extra broth to the dish and return to the oven until it's cooked.
After removing from the oven, stir the dish well. Add the mozzarella cheese to the pan and stir again. It will melt into the dish easily.
Serve warm and enjoy!
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Notes

This dish is best enjoyed right away, but you can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave, adding splashes of broth as needed.
You can also cook the entire casserole ahead of time and keep it covered in its dish in the fridge. Reheat, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees F until warmed through.
Serve as a main or side dish, and feel free to bulk it up by adding white beans or shredded chicken before serving.

Nutrition