45 Best Orzo Recipes

Shake up your pasta routine with one of these delicious orzo recipes! While orzo looks very similar to long grain rice, it cooks up in a fraction of the time. That makes it a great substitute for either rice or other pasta varieties in any of your favorite recipes! From orzo stuffed peppers to pilaf to creamy Parmesan orzo pasta, there are so many ways to put this wonderful ingredient to good use. You can’t go wrong trying out one of these orzo recipes!

Both pasta and rice are staple ingredients for quick dinners on busy nights. But if you feel like you’re stuck in a weeknight cooking rut, shake up your routine with one of these delicious orzo recipes!

Though shaped like long grain rice, orzo is actually a type of pasta. The mild flavor and texture makes it a great fit for recipes that call for either rice or pasta, but it cooks up much faster than actual rice! 

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a meal that includes plenty of fresh veggies, or a tasty side to go with your main dish, this collection has just what you’re looking for. As one of the most versatile pastas, you’re sure to find a new personal or family favorite!

1. Orzo Salad

When the temperatures outside are heating up, cool off with this light summer pasta salad. Orzo tossed in a lemon vinaigrette, then topped with feta and fresh produce like corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion is sure to satisfy!

2. Lemon Orzo

Bright citrus flavor makes this simple orzo salad a true standout. It’s super creamy and delicious! The secret behind the flavor is adding lemon rind to the broth for a taste you won’t be able to forget.

3. Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Crunchy vegetables, spinach, briny olives, and feta make this dish oh-so-delicious. And because leftover orzo salad keeps super well, you could always double the batch for some easy meal-prepping!

4. Creamy Mushroom Orzo

For a one-pot comfort meal, it doesn’t get much better than this risotto-style recipe! Unlike risotto, you don’t have to babysit the pot the whole time, and the entire dish turns out super creamy and satisfying.

5. Shrimp Orzo

Looking for a tasty dinner that can be ready in under 30 minutes? Treat yourself to maximum flavor with shrimp orzo in a creamy wine sauce! Bold Mediterranean ingredients really take this one to the next level.

6. Greek Orzo Salad

Ready to be the hit at every summer barbecue and backyard get-together? Orzo, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, feta cheese, and red onion in a zingy Greek dressing always steals the show!

7. Baked Orzo

This super cheesy yet surprisingly light comfort food will be an instant family favorite! Parmesan, garlic, and orzo in a creamy sauce will delight your taste buds, and who can resist the crusty cheese on top?

8. Creamy Chicken Orzo

When you need a tasty dinner the whole family will love that can be ready fast, this meal can be on the table in 30 minutes! Best of all, it’s made with simple ingredients that all come together in one pot.

9. Greek Lemon Orzo Soup

Who doesn’t love a cozy soup that’s bursting with delicious flavors? Lemon chicken soup with orzo uses wholesome everyday ingredients and is simple to prep, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. A great way to use up any leftover rotisserie chicken.

10. Tuscan Chicken Orzo

Treat yourself to a one-skillet dish loaded with the flavors of Tuscany! Garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and chicken thighs create a rich meal that’s wonderfully filling and makes great leftovers.

11. Parmesan Orzo Side Dish

Meet your new perfect side dish. Cheesy, hearty, and always a crowd-favorite, this recipe requires minimal prep and is ready in 20 minutes. With all that cheesy goodness, even picky eaters will be asking for seconds!

12. Grilled Chicken Summer Orzo Pasta

Tons of fresh veggies, grilled chicken, and orzo pasta make this summer salad light but filling. You can enjoy it warm or cold, which makes it just as great for an easy dinner as it is for a summer potluck!

13. Gluten Free Orzo

For a light, fresh, healthy bowl that’s totally craveworthy, try this gluten-free and dairy-free shrimp orzo salad! The lemon-dill dressing is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything.

14. One Pot Taco Pasta

Can’t decide if pasta or tacos sound better? Enjoy them together in this super fun, family-friendly, one-pot meal! Salsa, ground beef, plenty of cheese, and orzo pasta come together in less than 30 minutes.

15. Kale White Bean And Orzo Soup

This easy soup with canned white beans, fresh kale or spinach, and orzo in a lemony-rosemary broth is ultra-cozy. The recipe is a breeze, and you can easily customize it based on your preferences or what ingredients you have on hand.

16. Creamy Vegetable Orzo

How can you say no to savory orzo and plenty of veggies in an easy Parmesan cream sauce? The budget-friendly ingredients and simple prep make this a great family meal for busy weeknights!

17. Orzo Pasta Salad With Cucumber And Feta

You’ll love how light and refreshing this healthy pasta salad is! Bright, lemony orzo with fresh ingredients like chopped cucumber, plenty of herbs, and salty feta is full of flavor and great for any summer get-together.

18. Enchilada Orzo

Enjoy the flavors of the southwest with chewy orzo and tender veggies in a spicy, creamy sauce. It’s a great one-pot meal that will satisfy your craving for enchiladas without all the prep or needing to fire up the oven.

19. Creamy Spinach Orzo

When it comes to quick meals, you can’t get much better than going from fridge to table in 15 minutes. This creamy spinach orzo is so cheesy and delicious, even the kids are crazy about it!

20. Rice Pilaf With Orzo

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this restaurant-quality rice pilaf right at home! The combination of tender, fluffy rice with golden, slightly-nutty orzo and plenty of butter is simply irresistible.

21. Butternut Squash Orzo

At first glance, you might think there’s a ton of cheese in this dish, but it’s actually sweet, creamy, earthy pureed butternut squash! Combined with orzo and feta, this satisfying dish will fill you up for hours.

22. Marsala Chicken Orzo Skillet

Indulge in this creamy skillet dish made with butter, mushrooms, chicken sausage, and orzo pasta simmered in sweet Marsala wine and chicken stock. You can be ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!

23. Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Orzo

Enjoy the seasonal produce of late summer and early fall! Roasted eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and tender whole wheat orzo are a delightful combo for a light pasta dish that’s great for weeknight dinners.

24. Orzo Stuffed Peppers

The flavor-packed filling with orzo, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, pine nuts, and feta cheese makes these summery Greek stuffed sweet peppers a fun change from your usual stuffed peppers!

25. Orange Orzo Salad

Packed with plenty of bright, fresh Mediterranean flavors, this healthy salad includes whole-grain orzo, toasted almonds, Kalamata olives, and salty feta with green onion and fresh parsley on top.

26. Mediterranean Tuna Orzo

The combination of pantry and fridge staples like tuna, orzo, capers, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and fresh parsley makes this super fresh meal filling enough for either lunch or dinner.

27. Cheesy Pumpkin Orzo

We all know fall is the time for pumpkin everything! This rich and cheesy pumpkin orzo dish is so creamy while the sage adds a layer of depth that will keep you coming back for spoonful after spoonful.

28. Pesto Orzo Salad

Treat yourself to all the flavors of a beloved caprese in the form of a simple and fresh pasta salad! This summertime recipe is great for a side or light dinner and can be ready in about 20 minutes.

29. Grilled Corn And Zucchini Orzo

The charred grilled veggies add an amazing depth of flavor to this orzo salad! Add some goat cheese crumbles plus a handful of chopped fresh herbs, toss in a vibrant citrus dressing, and enjoy.

30. Italian Sausage Orzo Soup

The rich tomato base of this one-pot soup is so delicious, you’d never believe it only takes 20 minutes to make! Every spoonful is packed with the kind of taste and texture that’s sure to get you through the winter.

31. Chicken Orzo Soup

On a cold winter’s night, stick-to-your-ribs comfort is a must. Thick and creamy chicken orzo soup is made with leftover roast chicken for a quick meal that will make you fall in love with chicken soup all over again.

32. Chicken Mushroom Orzo Skillet

For one-pan comfort food the whole family will love, this Parmesan herb chicken with orzo and mushrooms is sure to hit the spot. Prep is super easy, and everything cooks right in the skillet on the stove!

33. Orzo With Asparagus

You’re only 20 minutes away from a garlicky, cheesy, simply amazing pasta dish! Fresh asparagus and savory orzo are tossed in a garlic butter sauce that’s so divine, you’ll be tempted to eat it like soup.

34. Orzo Minestrone Soup

This dish is hearty, nutritious, and packed with the Italian flavors you love. With protein-rich beans, nutrient-dense veggies, and a healthy serving of cheese, it will fill you up without weighing you down.

35. Creamy Cacio e Pepe Orzo Risotto

Risotto-style orzo simmered in white wine, stock, and cream is the perfect base for juicy lemon rosemary chicken breasts. This meal is just as great for busy weeknights as it is for entertaining dinner guests!

36. Orzo With Roasted Vegetables

When texture and flavor are a must, lemon garlic orzo delivers! The veggies roast on one sheet pan so all you have to do is cook the orzo, toast the pine nuts, whip up the dressing, and toss it all together.

37. Tomato Orzo

This creamy one-pot wonder is made with fire-roasted tomatoes and basil, and it can be ready in 25 minutes flat! You can choose to serve it as a saucy side or a rich vegetarian main course.

38. Shrimp Orzo Pasta Salad

Tender shrimp and orzo pasta tossed in a homemade vinaigrette dressing with plenty of seasonal veggies tastes like summer in a bowl! You’ll be amazed how fast this one disappears at parties and potlucks.

39. Orzo Stuffed Tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes are perfect little pasta-filled parcels bursting with creamy orzo, mushrooms, and big chunks of mozzarella cheese. Enjoy them hot out of the oven for dinner or cold for lunch the next day!

40. Baked Orzo With Artichokes

Looking for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s a breeze to whip up? With this baked orzo recipe, all you have to do is cook the pasta, mix in the other ingredients, and throw it all in the oven. It’s seriously that easy!

41. One Pot Mushroom Orzo

Creamy mushroom orzo pasta with petite peas and toasted pine nuts in a luscious asiago thyme sauce is gourmet enough for special occasions but easy enough to make for dinner any day of the week! 

42. Orzo Salad With Chickpeas

For a quick lunch or tasty potluck dish, this orzo salad is wonderfully light and simple. Whole wheat pasta tossed with chickpeas, cucumbers, lemon, dill, and feta makes a great side or main dish!

43. Italian Orzo Salad

The tangy, sweet Italian dressing ties together the orzo, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, and basil beautifully. You can whip it up in a pinch and enjoy leftover orzo salad for lunch later in the week.

44. Shrimp Orzo

Would you believe you only need 10 simple ingredients and about 30 minutes to throw together a delicious one-pot dinner? Juicy shrimp, fresh lemon, and chewy orzo are a flavor match made in heaven.

45. Pork Ragu With Orzo

Deep flavors with a kick of heat make this easy dinner unforgettable. The sauce cooks low and slow on the stove, and you can easily adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes if you prefer something less spicy.

Did you try one of these orzo pasta recipes? Let me know in the comments below.