Is there anything orzo can’t do? This collection of orzo recipes is a love letter to the little rice-like pasta. Recall that this tasty staple cooks quickly, boasts a comforting texture, and pairs well with a variety of flavors and sauces. There’s no reason to set aside orzo as a side dish; it can also play an integral role in easy main dishes or be fancy for a dinner party. And just because it’s a type of pasta doesn’t mean you have to serve it like spaghetti. Orzo is so much more versatile, so give it a try. These delicious recipes are a great place to get started.
Late summer vegetable soup
Loaded with corn, green beans, and zucchini, simmered in tomato and chicken broth, this soup has the perfect end-of-season flavors, and the quick-cooking orzo adds volume and volume — we recommend it over rice for this late-summer meal.
One-Pot Seafood Orzo Risotto
Orzo goes fancy in this festive seafood risotto. Though it’s called risotto, it’s a paella-like pasta dish that’s cooked on the stovetop, with seafood added and grilled until cooked through.
Herbed Orzo
This herbed orzo side dish is so simple and so delicious that it’s hard to go back to white rice once you’ve tried it. It’s also fat-free, and all you need is lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a handful of chopped fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Soup orzo and pork meatballs
Meatballs are a great addition to this inviting one-pot dinner. Made with ground pork, fennel seeds, and Parmesan, these fragrant, bite-sized dishes are cooked in a light, bright broth and orzo, then drizzled with lemon juice, fresh dill, and more cheese.
Corn and zucchini orzo salad
This may be the ultimate pasta salad. It’s like summer in a bowl. This recipe makes enough for a crowd. You can halve it or make the whole thing and use half as a filling for a delicious frittata.
Lemon Pesto Chicken Soup
Simmering orzo is the main step in creating a bright, vibrant soup that tastes like the essence of spring, and with leftover shredded or roasted chicken, store-bought broth, and pesto sauce, the meal comes together in no time.
Grilled Salmon with Creamy Orzo
This delicious one-pot dinner is ready in 45 minutes and tastes like restaurant food. The orzo is cooked with bacon and celery; we think it’s the bacon, not the latter, that gives the pasta its creamy texture. Salmon fillets are sprinkled with coriander and lemon zest and cooked inside the orzo.
Skillet Shrimp and Orzo
Take a trip to Spain with orzo. This paella-style skillet seafood dinner is simple enough for a family night, yet festive enough to wow your guests. Cooking in one pot allows the orzo to soak up all the zesty flavors.
Braised Chicken with Artichokes, Olives and Lemon
This homemade braised chicken dish is a beautiful combination of Mediterranean flavors, and served with orzo, it’s a great alternative to rice dishes.
Chicken Puttanesca and Orzo
A quick and satisfying dinner, this puttanesca gets its punchy flavor from a tomato-based sauce made with olives and capers, and the chicken cutlets are paired with orzo instead of penne or other common forms of pasta.
Spinach with Orzo and Feta
An easy side dish, spinach and feta are a classic combination, and orzo is an unexpected addition that adds some weight to the dish. Who wouldn’t want seconds?
