As a novice web developer, I tend to use Nginx when deploying & running my Larvel PHP sites.
I've recently come across OpenResty and, from what I believe, it appears to be webserver software like that of Nginx.
As someone who is always looking to improve the websites I make, will using Open Resty over Nginx improve the development and overall quality or experience of my Laravel websites?
OpenResty is an enhanced version of Nginx, which combines Lua and Nginx. Unless you are planning to use Lua, there will be no benefit of choosing OpenResty over Nginx. Since you are running Laravel based website, there will be no benefits.