Though it might look like rice, orzo is a pastina, a tiny pasta that can be served alone or used in soups and salads.
What Is Orzo and How Do I Use It In Recipes?
Updated on Aug. 22, 2024
Cooking with pasta is anything but basic. From-scratch penne alla vodka upgrades a typical weeknight meal, while homemade fettuccine is the ultimate date night activity. Then there’s a slew of pastine, aka small pastas, that are perfect in a pasta salad or soup.
The most popular small pasta in Italian recipes: orzo.
What is orzo?
Orzo is a very small type of pasta shaped like sunflower seeds. Because it’s not a grain like rice, you might wonder, what is orzo made from? Like other pasta, it’s made with semolina flour and eggs. Rather than rolling out the dough and cutting it into floured strips like fettuccine or tagliatelle, orzo is made with a pasta extruder. This machine pushes dough through a die (metal plates created to cut specific shapes into pasta) and then a blade slices off the dough as it gets pressed through the plates.
In Italian, orzo literally translates to “barley.” If you’re ever in Italy, you might be more likely to see this pasta shape called risoni or puntalette.
Substitutions for Orzo
What can you use if the store is out of orzo? Because all pastina is made up of semolina flour, orzo is easy to replace with another pasta shape. The simplest choice would be another small pasta like ditalini, macaroni elbows, farfalle, stelline or even small shells. The ingredient closest to orzo would be Greek orzo, called kritharaki.
Though kritharaki looks exactly like Italian orzo, there are two small differences: The durum wheat Greeks use is slightly different from the type of flour Italians use and kritharaki comes in three sizes. Because it’s still a wheat product, it will cook up the same if you find kritharaki in a specialty Greek store and want to try it.
Small pearl couscous and long grain rice are your next best bets, though the cook times will be quite different. Follow the package instructions so your delicious dinner doesn’t turn into overcooked mush…or undercooked cardboard.
How to Cook Orzo
The standard method for cooking orzo is to boil it in salted water like any other pasta. Cook for nine to 11 minutes depending on how al dente or tender you prefer the orzo.
To prevent the pasta flavor from getting lost in a soup, toast the orzo in olive oil for a few minutes before adding broth. Toasting it will bring out a nutty flavor—this Greek tomato soup with orzo is a great example.
What is orzo used in?
There are so many orzo recipes out there, including salads, soups and skillets. You can also use orzo instead of rice in stuffed peppers or as a base for a citrusy salmon dinner or Greek chicken kabobs. Add orzo to soups for a rice-like texture minus the extra cook time (hello, quick weeknight dinners).
If you’re making a Greek orzo salad, try to find an authentic kritharaki to use instead of regular orzo. You could also opt for whole wheat orzo to make your recipes a smidge healthier.
Our Best Orzo Recipes
Lemon Orzo SaladThis bright lemon orzo salad recipe is just the thing you’ll want to have on hand when you’re in need of a quick meal or a light side dish everyone will love.
Though it might look like rice, orzo is a pastina, a tiny pasta that can be served alone or used in soups and salads. Check what exactly is Orzo.
Greek Tomato Soup with OrzoMy recipe for manestra, which means orzo in Greek, is effortless and very easy to make. You need only a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy one-pot wonder. —Kiki Vagianos, Melrose, Massachusetts
Mediterranean Shrimp Salad in a JarThis Greek salad to go is packed with so much freshness, it instantly brightens up your day. Just layer it all in a jar and pack it up—then serve and enjoy. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Chicken with OrzoHere's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia. If you like this, you must try Ina Garten’s chicken in a pot with orzo recipe.
Orzo with SpinachAdd color and flavor to your plate with creamy orzo with spinach. This dish is a balance of comfort and sophistication, perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in.
Spinach-Orzo Salad with ChickpeasThe first version of this salad was an experiment in mixing together some random ingredients I had on hand. It was a success, and several people at the party asked for the recipe—which meant I had to re-create it! It's healthy, delicious and perfect for warm-weather days. —Glen White, Kissimmee, Florida
Lemon Chicken Orzo SoupLemon Chicken Orzo Soup is an excellent choice for when you want something that's satisfying but not too heavy. A little lemon zest and juice go a long way in this take on a Mediterranean favorite.
Pressure-Cooker Italian Shrimp ‘n’ PastaThis dish will remind you a bit of classic shrimp Creole, but it has a surprise Italian twist. Pressure cooking gives it hands-off ease—perfect for company. —Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine
Summer Orzo SaladI’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Orzo-Tuna Salad with TomatoesStuffed tomatoes provide endless options when you add meat, cheese, rice, veggies—or in this case, orzo. — Jenni Dise, Phoenix, Arizona
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli OrzoBroccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Lemon-Olive Chicken with OrzoThis quick skillet recipe is a healthy all-in-one meal. I just add a tossed salad for a menu the entire family loves. —Nancy Brown, Dahinda, Illinois
Sausage OrzoSausage and pasta sounds like a rich dish, but using whole wheat orzo and turkey sausage helps lighten it up. This sausage and orzo recipe bursts with summery flavor thanks to the addition of fresh tomato and basil.
Dill Chicken SoupI could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Pork and OrzoTake a trip to a waterfront locale with protein-rich, health-minded Mediterranean pork and orzo. Tomatoes, spinach and feta add bright punches of color to the meat and pasta.
Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo SaladThe heat, seasonings and appearance of this colorful main-dish salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Chicken and Orzo SkilletHere’s a perfect one-skillet supper that’s colorful, healthy, filling and definitely special! Our taste testers loved the blend of spices, the touch of heat and the sophisticated flavor. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan
Italian Chicken SoupThis satisfying soup gets its Italian flair from fennel, thyme, basil and orzo pasta. If you don't start with a low-sodium or sodium-free stock, you might want to decrease the amount of salt called for in the recipe. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Parmesan OrzoA splash of lemon and a shower of chopped parsley make this orzo one of my family's most requested springtime sides. It's fantastic with chicken, pork and fish, or you can eat it on its own as a light lunch. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts
Shrimp with Orzo and FetaShrimp with orzo and feta is light, fresh and ready in 30 minutes. With juicy tomatoes, garlic, lemon and fresh herbs, this Mediterranean-inspired meal is a must-make.
Summertime Orzo & ChickenThis easy-as-can-be main dish is likely to become a summer staple at your house. It’s that good! If you prefer, grill the chicken breasts instead of cooking in a skillet. —Fran MacMillan, West Melbourne, Florida
Greek-Style Stuffed Acorn SquashWith a truckload of acorn squash in my pantry, I wanted to make stuffed squash in lots of different ways. A bottle of Greek seasoning got my creativity flowing. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Greek Orzo SaladThis tart, refreshing salad is a big hit in my home. All the tasty toppings—including red onions, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing—give it extra interest. —Judy Roberts, Las Vegas, Nevada
Garlic Shrimp & Orzo SaladI enjoy cold pasta salads and rice salads, so I decided to make one with orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. Feel free to add other favorite veggies—like asparagus and green beans—and serve with rolls or pita bread. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Lemon Mushroom OrzoSometimes I serve this side dish chilled and other times we enjoy it hot.
It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from pecans.
—Shelly Nelson, Akeley, Minnesota
Grecian ChickenThe caper, tomato and olive flavors will whisk you away to the Greek isles. This easy skillet dish is perfect for hectic weeknights. —Jan Marler, Murchison, Texas
Orzo with Spinach and Pine NutsI have shared this salad many times with the teachers at my school. They enjoy it so much that they ask me to bring it in. It's best to put the tomatoes on the salad just before serving so they won't wilt from the heat and moisture. In my opinion, the dish would not be as delectable if you substitute another vinegar for the balsamic vinegar. —Kate Whitehead, Lindenhurst, Illinois
White Bean Soup with EscaroleThis escarole and bean soup recipe is tasty enough to make everyone forget how healthy it is. Better yet, it's quick and easy.
