45 Irresistibly Delicious Orzo Recipes to Try Now

When you think about different types of pasta , 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!

Lemony Chicken and Asparagus Orzo

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

Rotisserie Chicken and Orzo Bake

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

Instant Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Pasta

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

Cheesy Meatball and Orzo One-Dish Casserole

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

White Cheddar Green Bean Orzo Casserole With Fried Onion Strings

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

25-Minute Lemon-Thyme Orzo Pilaf

Get cooking on a delicious and colorful side-dish choice that is packed with flavor.

Get the recipe: 25-Minute Lemon-Thyme Orzo Pilaf

Smoked Salmon and Orange Orzo Salad

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

Orzo Chicken Soup With Bone-In Chicken Thighs

This cozy soup is good for the soul.

Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Soup With Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

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

Related: 38 Best Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

Orzo Risotto With Meyer Lemon and Spring Peas

This cozy meal is pure comfort food.

Get the recipe: Orzo Risotto With Meyer Lemon and Spring Peas

Orzo Salad With Chimichurri Sauce

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

Creamy Parmesan Orzo Pasta With Chicken Artichokes and Spinach

Similar to mac and cheese, this nourishing recipe deliciously combines artichokes, spinach, chicken and orzo pasta.

Get the recipe: Creamy Parmesan Orzo Pasta With Chicken Artichokes and Spinach

Pesto Orzo Salad

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

Mediterranean Lemon Orzo Salad

This orzo salad is so fresh!

Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad

Related: 70 Best Lemon Recipes To Brighten Your Day

Chickpea Orzo Soup

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

Creamy Mushroom Orzo

Think cream of mushroom soup, over pasta.

G et the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo

Orzo With Everything

You're going to eat up this orzo-filledvariation of a corn-tomato-feta salad.

Get the recipe: Orzo With Everything

Greek Pasta Salad With Orzo

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

Toasted Orzo "Risotto" With Fresh Herbs

Herby, cheesy, and of course, loaded with orzo, this fresh risotto has got it all.

Get the recipe: Toasted Orzo "Risotto" With Fresh Herbs

Lemon Orzo Salad

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

Meatball Stew With Orzo and White Beans

This meatball stew with orzo and white beans is hearty and incredibly full of flavor. 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

Egg Lemon Soup With Spinach

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

Garlic Parmesan Orzo With Caramelized Shallots

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

Dill Roasted Salmon Salad

Orzo adds a grainy pop of texture to this herby salmon salad.

Get the recipe: Dill Roasted Salmon Salad

Vegan Avgolemono Soup

No one will believe this creamy orzo soup is vegan.

Get the recipe: Vegan Avgolemono Soup

One-Pot Chicken With Orzo, Lemon and Feta

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

Lemon Asparagus Orzo One-Pot Meal

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

Easy One Skillet Ground Beef Recipe With Orzo

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

Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup

This Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup is hearty and full of veggies and can be made to be either Vegan or Vegetarian, your choice.

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup

Vegan Mediterranean Spinach Orzo Salad

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

Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

A light and refreshing side dish, made with orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil.

Get the recipe: Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

Blueberry Peach Orzo

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

Chicken Marsala Orzo

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

Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta

A one-pot recipe for tender orzo tossed in a light and cheesy cream sauce.

Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta

Orzo Chicken Greek Style

For the best family dinner, just cook chicken with orzo, tomato passata and a few yummy Greek flavors, then bake.

Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Greek Style

Related: 42 Chinese Chicken Recipes

Creamy Mushroom Orzo With Spinach

This dish is not only velvety but also easy and delicious!

Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo With Spinach

Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

This Italian soup is so good we make it year-round.

Get the recipe: Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

Cajun Orzo With Andouille Sausage

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

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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

Goat Cheese Orzo Salad

Orzo combines whimsically with tangy goat cheese and tender asparagus in this summer salad.

Get the recipe: Goat Cheese and Orzo Salad

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

With only 7 simple ingredients, this orzo dish will instantly become one of your go-to weeknight dinners.

G et the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Lemon Orzo Salad

This orzo salad screams springtime with orzo pasta, juicy shrimp, sweet cherry tomatoes and 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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Summer Orzo Salad With Chickpeas and Feta

Eating the rainbow just got easier.

Get the recipe: Summer Orzo Salad With Chickpeas and Feta

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Ladle up a bowl full of orzo-full comfort.

Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

One-Pot Orzo Pasta With Garlic, Parmesan and Mushrooms

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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