This small rice-sized pasta can be used in a variety of delicious dishes. It is mostly used in soups and salads, but through these recipes, you will learn how easy it is to adapt classic pasta dishes using orzo as the base for a fun twist!
1. Greek Orzo Stuffed Red Peppers
Listen up veggie lovers, this orzo dish is one you certainly don’t want to miss out on. It’s quick, simple, and full of goodness that will keep you fueled the entire day.
2. Creamy Chicken Orzo
All you need to make your taste buds explode is carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. These flavors combined work perfectly and bring out a taste you’ll be craving again and again. Pair with a buttered crusty roll for the most delicious dinner.
3. Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad
Put your farmers market veg to use with this grilled vegetable orzo pasta salad. It’s ideal for all occasions, whether you’re on the hunt for a healthy lunch dish, the potluck recipe your family will die for or just an appetizer salad to complete your three-course meal.
4. One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo
If you love easy dinners, then this one that’ll tick all your boxes. This dish is a one-pot heaven full of Mediterranean flavors, perfect for those warm summer evenings. Orzo really is the perfect addition to this recipe, like rice, but more satisfying and delicious.
5. Italian Orzo Tuna Salad
Salad really is the perfect all-rounder, it can be had for lunch, dinner, as an appetizer, as a side and more, and this one is an Italian feel-good, with it fresh, zesty, and savory. Just grab your Italian pasta salad ingredients, lemon dressing and tuna and simply toss them together.
6. Chicken Orzo Soup
Feeling a bit under the weather? Let this chicken orzo soup pick you up. Who needs a nurse when you have soup? It’s light, flavorsome and super quick to make. All you need is chicken breast, orzo pasta and fresh veggies.
7. Lemon Chicken Orzo
One of our favorite meals to enjoy is lemon chicken and when paired with orzo pasta, the flavors complement each other, providing a comforting hug-like feeling. This dish is creamy, made in one pot and only takes 30 minutes to bring together.
8. Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo
Got a family event coming up and on side duty? Don’t stress, we’ve got you covered. This creamy garlic spinach orzo is so comforting and works alongside all foods. It’s one your friends and family will be drooling over.
9. Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
Planning ahead for your summer get-together? Salad is always the route to go, but instead of your basic salad, mix it up with this orzo pasta salad. This salad is full of orzo, chickpeas, feta, summer vegetables, fresh herbs and a sprinkle of light vinaigrette.
10. Italian Sausage Orzo
Fancy trying Italian food? This orzo recipe is easy to whip up, giving you the pleasure of indulging in delicious Italian flavors, you’ll find succulent Italian sausage, caramelized onions, garlic, cherry tomatoes and spinach. If you want savory goodness in a bowl, this is where you’ll find it.
11. One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo
Need something hearty but packed full of flavor? Then you’re going to love this sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo. It’s creamy and made simply using one skillet. It’s the definition of comfort food.
12. Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Taste the Mediterranean with this delicious orzo salad. If you’ve been to the Med before, then you know how good the food is and now you can have a slice of it at home with this recipe. Enjoy everything from crunchy vegetables to olives, feta cheese, spinach and much more. It’s great for a light lunch or side.
13. Quick and Easy Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas
Need a recipe that screams spring to get you excited for the warmer months ahead? Look no further because this lemon orzo packed full of peas and smothered in parmesan is mouth-watering.
14. Greek-Style Chicken Orzo
This is another one of the well-loved orzo dishes we make again and again. It’s comforting and so simple to make using one pan. It’s made of seasoned chicken mixed with orzo, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes.
15. Lemon Garlic Orzo With Roasted Vegetables
Veggies and vegans, this recipe is for you. It’s predominantly vegetarian but can be made vegan. It’s got great texture and is super flavorsome with the different ingredients of the veggies, orzo, herbs, and broth coming together.
Orzo is one of our favorite types of pasta, with a texture close to rice, making it the perfect substitute. Try out these 15 recipes and let us know your thoughts in the comments.