If you love the comforting flavors of pizza but want something a little heartier and more wholesome, this farro pizza bake is the perfect dish. Packed with roasted vegetables, chewy grains, savory pepperoni, and creamy cheese, it brings together everything you love about pizza in a warm, satisfying baked casserole.
This recipe was inspired by a dish in the cookbook Veg Forward by Susan Spungen. After experimenting with the idea, we created our own version that highlights roasted vegetables and nutty grains. The result is a dish that’s deeply comforting yet surprisingly balanced.
As this farro pizza bake cooks, your kitchen fills with the unmistakable aroma of pizza. The combination of oregano, garlic, bubbling cheese, and pepperoni creates a fragrance that feels like a pizzeria oven. The flavors echo pizza as well, with melted fontina, creamy ricotta, and smoky pepperoni mingling with roasted vegetables and tender farro.
The finished dish is rustic, hearty, and incredibly satisfying. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving family-style at the table.
What Is Farro?
Farro is an ancient grain that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Popular throughout the Mediterranean, especially in Italy, it has a pleasantly chewy texture and a rich, nutty flavor that makes it incredibly versatile.
Technically, the word farro refers to several ancient wheat varieties, including emmer, einkorn, and spelt. In most grocery stores, the farro you’ll find is typically pearled emmer farro, which has had part of the bran removed to reduce cooking time.
What makes farro so appealing is its texture. Unlike rice or pasta, it holds its shape beautifully even after cooking. The grains stay pleasantly chewy and separate, which makes them perfect for salads, soups, and baked dishes like this farro pizza bake.
Because farro absorbs flavor so well, it acts almost like a sponge for the savory juices from roasted vegetables, garlic, herbs, and broth. In this recipe, it soaks up all the delicious pizza-inspired flavors while still providing a hearty bite.
Why This Farro Pizza Bake Works
This recipe layers simple ingredients in a way that builds big flavor.
First, the vegetables are roasted until lightly caramelized. Roasting concentrates their natural sweetness and gives them a slightly smoky edge.
Then the cooked farro is stirred in with sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni, garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika. These ingredients mimic the flavor profile of pizza sauce and toppings.
Finally, the dish is finished with ricotta and fontina cheese. The ricotta adds creamy pockets throughout the bake, while the fontina melts beautifully into golden, bubbling perfection.
The result is a dish that feels indulgent and comforting but is also packed with vegetables and wholesome grains.
How to Cook Farro
Cooking farro is very simple and similar to cooking pasta or rice.
Step-by-Step Method
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Bring salted water to a boil.
Use a large pot and season the water generously with salt. -
Add the farro.
Stir in the farro and allow it to cook uncovered. -
Cook until tender.
Most pearled farro cooks in about 30–35 minutes, though this can vary slightly depending on the brand. -
Drain and use.
Once tender but still pleasantly chewy, drain the farro and it’s ready to use in your recipe.
Tips for Perfect Farro
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Taste the grain near the end of cooking to check doneness.
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It should be tender but still have a bit of bite.
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If using whole farro, cooking time may increase to 45–60 minutes.
For this farro pizza bake, cooking the farro separately ensures it maintains its structure when baked with the vegetables and cheese.
Health Benefits of Farro
One of the best things about farro is that it’s both nutritious and satisfying.
1. High in Fiber
Farro contains a significant amount of fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer.
2. Good Source of Plant-Based Protein
This ancient grain provides several grams of protein per serving, making it an excellent base for vegetarian-friendly meals.
3. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Farro is a natural source of:
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Magnesium
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Iron
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Zinc
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B vitamins
These nutrients support energy production and overall health.
4. Supports Heart Health
Whole grains like farro have been linked to improved heart health due to their fiber content and ability to help regulate cholesterol levels.
5. Balanced Comfort Food
This farro pizza bake combines the nutritional benefits of farro with plenty of vegetables, making it a comforting meal that still feels wholesome and balanced.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Roast the Vegetables Well
Don’t rush the roasting step. Allowing the onions, peppers, and zucchini to caramelize adds tremendous flavor to the final dish.
Use Good Cheese
Fontina melts beautifully and creates that gooey, pizza-like texture. If you can’t find it, low-moisture mozzarella is a good substitute.
Slice the Pepperoni Thin
Cutting the pepperoni into ribbons distributes its flavor throughout the bake so every bite has a little bit of that classic pizza taste.
Season Generously
Because farro absorbs flavor, seasoning the dish well with salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika is essential.
Let It Rest Before Serving
Allow the bake to cool for about 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the cheese set slightly and makes serving easier.
Storage and Leftovers
This pizza bake stores beautifully and may even taste better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating
You can reheat portions:
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In the microwave for quick meals
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In the oven at 350°F until warmed through
If reheating in the oven, adding a splash of vegetable stock helps keep the farro moist.
Freezing
This dish can also be frozen.
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Allow the bake to cool completely.
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Transfer to a freezer-safe container.
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Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Is farro gluten-free?
No. Farro is a type of wheat and contains gluten, so it is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes. Simply omit the pepperoni to create a vegetarian version. The roasted vegetables, farro, and cheeses still provide plenty of flavor.
What can I substitute for farro?
If farro isn’t available, you could use:
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Barley
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Brown rice
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Wheat berries
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Freekeh
Each option will create a slightly different texture but still works well in the bake.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely. Mushrooms, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes would all complement the pizza-inspired flavors.
Why does this dish smell like pizza while baking?
That wonderful aroma comes from the combination of garlic, oregano, pepperoni, roasted vegetables, and melted cheese. When baked together, they release the same savory scents you’d smell in a pizzeria.
A Comforting Grain Bake You’ll Want to Make Again
This farro pizza bake proves that simple ingredients can create incredibly satisfying meals. The nutty chewiness of farro, caramelized vegetables, savory pepperoni, and bubbling cheese combine to create a dish that feels both comforting and nourishing.
Inspired by the vegetable-forward cooking philosophy of the Mediterranean diet, this recipe transforms wholesome ingredients into something that feels indulgent and familiar. It’s hearty enough for dinner, flavorful enough for entertaining, and versatile enough to adapt to whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Whether you’re already a fan of farro or trying it for the first time, this dish is a delicious way to showcase the grain’s unique texture and flavor.
Once you pull this bubbling bake out of the oven and smell that unmistakable pizza aroma filling your kitchen, you’ll understand exactly why it’s called farro pizza bake.
Farro Pizza Bake with Pepperoni and Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups farro, uncooked
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 2 small zucchini, sliced into thin half moons
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 3 ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced into ribbons
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock
- 3 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 ounces fontina cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook the farro: Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the farro and cook for 30–35 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 425°F (220°C).
- Roast the vegetables: In a 9x13-inch roasting pan, combine red onions, red bell peppers, zucchini, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Roast for 30–35 minutes, until the vegetables begin to caramelize and take on some color.
- Reduce the oven temperature: Turn the oven down to 400°F (200°C).
- Assemble the bake: Add the cooked farro, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic, vegetable stock, and additional salt and pepper to taste directly into the roasting pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Add the cheeses: Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta evenly over the top, then sprinkle the grated fontina cheese over the surface.
- Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden in spots.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
About the Author: Jess Haines-Stephan
