45 Outrageously Good Orzo Recipes
Lemony Chicken and Asparagus Orzo
When you think about pasta shapes, does your mind automatically think spaghetti, rigatoni or penne? People rarely think orzo and that's so sad, since it's one of the most versatile pastas to have in your pantry. And these 45 best orzo recipes are proof!
What Is Orzo?
Orzo resembles tiny football-shaped, oval pasta orbs that almost look like rice, but it's pasta we promise! It's a short-cut pasta shape also known as risoni and in Italy, known as pastina or "little pasta."
Related: Healthy Pasta Recipes
How To Cook Orzo Pasta
Like any other pasta, orzo should be boiled until al dente before added to soup, salads or any other delicious recipes.
Related: 30 Types of Pasta
Best Orzo Recipes
Orzo is often used to create delicious orzo pasta salad recipes and makes easy one-pot dinners, like my favorite Lemon, Asparagus and Orzo. Your family will love these quick comfort meals. Orzo also makes for a great side dish to your weeknight chicken or pork. Once you realize how versatile orzo really is, you'll see why it's a good idea to keep orzo on hand in your pantry at all times. Chefs love orzo too! As you'll see, it's the star ingredient in Bobby Flay's Toasted Orzo Pasta.
Need more orzo inspiration? I've rounded up a ton of easy orzo recipes that feature this little known, yet well loved risoni pasta. Don't be surprised if it becomes your new favorite ingredient!
Mark Boughton Photography
Speaking of which, fast-cooking orzo—a small rice-shaped pasta—is a perfect backdrop for the bright flavors in this nutritious, one-pan dish.
Get the recipe: Lemony Chicken and Asparagus Orzo
Joanna Cismaru
Orzo cooks faster than most other pasta shapes, so it’s perfect in casseroles, like this one from Joanna Cismaru
Get the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken and Orzo Bake
Becky Winkler
This stunning orzo pasta salad is perfect for weeknight dinners because you can make it all in your Instant Pot, without the need for a separate skillet for sautéing. It can be enjoyed hot, cold or at room temperature,
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Pasta
Katie Workman
This one-pot orzo dinner turns super-convenient frozen meatballs into a creamy, slightly cheese main dish, complete with the vegetables built right in.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Meatball and Orzo One-Dish Casserole
Shea Goldstein
Orozo adds another element to the already delicious concoction of green beans doused in a cajun-spiked creamy of chicken sauce topped with crunchy fried onion strings.
Get the recipe: White Cheddar Green Bean Orzo Casserole with Fried Onion Strings
Recipe Girl
Get cooking on a delicious and colorful side-dish choice that is packed with flavor.
Get the recipe: 25-Minute Lemon-Thyme Orzo Pilaf
Sanura Weathers
On those days you need an energizing salad with a fulfilling protein, a healthy carb, and greens, turn to this smoked salmon and orange orzo salad. It’s a salad of whole-wheat pasta tossed with citrusy vinaigrette with specks of salty smoked salmon, oranges, and crunchy celery with baby greens.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon and Orange Orzo Salad
Real Food with Sarah
This cozy soup is good for the soul.
Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Soup with Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Sidewalk Shoes
This cozy orzo chicken soup is made with chicken thighs, orzo and lemon juice. Extra vegetables and a little ginger make it super flavorful, warming and great for a chilly day!
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine
This cozy meal is pure comfort food.
Get the recipe: Orzo Risotto with Meyer Lemon and Spring Peas
Amanda's Cooking
This orzo salad is tossed in an herby chimichurri sauce, fresh spinach, and feta. Your healthy dinner side dish is taken care of in less than 15 minutes!
Get the recipe: Orzo Salad with Chimichurri Sauce
The Food Hunter
Similar to mac and cheese, this nourishing recipe is deliciously combines artichokes, spinach, chicken and orzo pasta.
Get the recipe: Creamy Parmesan Orzo Pasta With Chicken Artichokes and Spinach
Season and Thyme
Pesto orzo salad is a fresh and simple side dish that is perfect for the summer months. This salad recipe is a cinch to put together, with very little prep work or chopping involved.
Get the recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Real Food With Sarah
This orzo salad is so fresh!
Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad
Profusion Curry
This vegetable-packed pasta soup tastes unbelievably delicious and will give you a burst of nutrients and a feeling of fullness.
Get the recipe: Chickpea Orzo Soup
An Affair from the Heart
Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo
Sheri Silver
You're going to eat up this orzo-filled variation of a corn-tomato-feta salad.
Get the recipe: Orzo with Everything
Art of Natural Living
Bookmark this salad to make at the tail-end of summer when you have more tomatoes than you can do away with.
Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad with Orzo
Ms enplace
Herby, cheesy, and of course, loaded with orzo, this fresh risotto has got it all.
Get the recipe: Toasted Orzo "Risotto" with Fresh Herbs
Nibble & Dine
This lemon orzo salad with feta is tangy and bright, with tons of fresh lemon flavor from both lemon zest and lemon juice. You can make this easy summer side dish with only 8 ingredients and in 25 minutes!
Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad
Skinny Spatula
This meatball stew with orzo and white beans is hearty and incredibly full of flavour. It has a good dose of protein and loads of veggies.
Get the recipe: Meatball Stew with Orzo and White Beans
Related: 20 Best White Bean Recipes
Art of Natural Living
Greek Egg Lemon Soup (Avgolemono) is a quick & tasty alternative to chicken soup–especially with orzo and added spinach for even more nutrition.
Get the recipe: Egg Lemon Soup with Spinach
This Home Kitchen
This orzo is savory, garlicky, and just a touch sweet from the shallots and thyme. The parmesan adds creaminess without making it heavy.
Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Caramelized Shallots
My Therapist Cooks
Orzo adds a grainy pop of texture to this herby salmon salad.
Get the recipe: Dill Roasted Salmon Salad
Vegan Cocotte
No one will believe this creamy orzo soup is vegan.
Get the recipe: Vegan Avgolemono Soup
Craving California
This recipe for one-pot baked chicken and orzo is packed with Mediterranean flavors like lemon, olives, fresh oregano, and feta cheese!
Get the recipe: One-Pot Chicken with Orzo, Lemon and Feta
Veggies Save The Day
One pot, 5 ingredients, and 30 minutes are all you need to make this delicious vegan orzo dinner.
Get the recipe: Lemon Asparagus Orzo One-Pot Meal
Dizzy Busy & Hungry
Your whole family will love this delicious skillet ground beef meal made with orzo and briny olives.
Get the recipe: Easy One Skillet Ground Beef Recipe with Orzo
Related: 150+ Ground Beef Recipes
Sweet Recipeas
Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo SoupThis Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup is hearty and full of veggies and can be made to be either Vegan or Vegetarian, your choice.
Veggies Save the Day
Vegan Spinach Orzo Salad is loaded with Mediterranean flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. It's easy to make in under 45 minutes with only 9 ingredients. It's a delicious alternative to traditional pasta salad.
Get the recipe: Vegan Mediterranean Spinach Orzo Salad
Piping Pot Curry
A light and refreshing side dish, made with orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil.
Get the recipe: Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad
This lime-kissed orzo pasta is studded with fresh juicy peaches and succulent blueberries and tender peppery arugula leaves offset the fruity sweetness creating a perfect balance of flavors.
Get the recipe: Blueberry Peach Orzo
Whole & Heavenly Oven
This one pot chicken marsala orzo takes all the work out of traditional chicken marsala and transforms it into a quick, easy weeknight meal made entirely in one pot!
Get the recipe: Chicken Marsala Orzo
The Recipe Rebel
A one-pot recipe for tender orzo tossed in a light and cheesy cream sauce.
Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta
Scrummy Lane
For the best family dinner, just cook chicken with orzo, tomato passata and a few yummy Greek flavours, then bake.
Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Greek Style
Related: 42 Chinese Chicken Recipes
Noshing with The Nolans
This dish is not only velvety but also easy and delicious!
Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo With Spinach
Amanda's Cooking
This Italian soup is so good we make it year-round.
Get the recipe: Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup
Mellisa's Southern Style Kitchen
This flavorful orzo with sausage is a versatile dish that can serve double duty as either an entree or a side dish. It’s simple to put together and makes a scrumptious busy day meal option.
Get the recipe: Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage
Little Sunny Kitchen
Get ready to swoon over this Greek-style chicken noodle soup recipe with tender chicken, yummy vegetables, and pasta in a savory and bright lemon infused broth.
Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Savory Experiments
Orzo combines whimsically with tangy goat cheese and tender asparagus in this summer salad.
Get the recipe: Goat Cheese and Orzo Salad
With only 7 simple ingredients, this orzo dish will instantly become one of your go-to weeknight dinners.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
Belly Full
This orzo salad screams springtime with orzo pasta, juicy shrimp, sweet cherry tomatoes, beautiful ripe asparagus, all tossed in a bright lemon dressing. It’s filling, but light, and perfect as a side or main course at home, or for a potluck.
Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad
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Peas and Crayons
Eating the rainbow just got easier.
Get the recipe: Summer Orzo Salad with Chickpeas and Feta
Courtney's Sweets
Ladle up a bowl full of orzo-full comfort.
Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Peas and Crayons
This creamy orzo pasta is blanketed in a totally luscious sauce and swirled with veggies.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Orzo Pasta with Garlic, Parmesan and Mushrooms
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