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?
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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
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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
Orzo-Stuffed Peppers
Packed with orzo, Italian sausage and summer flavors, these stuffed peppers make a fun, fast-fixing meal. Get colorful with green, orange, red or yellow peppers. Use more or less pepper flakes to adjust the level of heat to your liking! —Kelly Evans, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Go to Recipe
Orzo Vegetable SaladHeading to a potluck and need something to share? Tangy lemon dressing over cool orzo and vegetables is everything you want in a light side dish. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
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 of Home 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.
Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach OrzoThis side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. —Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania
Farmers Market Orzo SaladOrzo is a tiny pasta shaped like rice. We use it as a base for veggies, lemony vinaigrette and cheeses such as mozzarella, feta or smoked Gouda. —Heather Dezzutto, Raleigh, North Carolina
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
Mediterranean Chicken Orzo SoupMy husband is Greek, so I'm always trying new Mediterranean recipes. This lemon chicken orzo soup is his favorite dish that I make. Serve it with a little feta or Parmesan and a side of toast. —Kristine Kosturos, Olympia, Washington.
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
Italian Sausage OrzoThis light dish is perfect for any night of the week, and it looks as good as it tastes! If you have leftover sauteed mushrooms or other vegetables, toss them in as well. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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
Mediterranean Pork and OrzoOn a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It's quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
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 of Home 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 Orzo with FetaTender, hearty and flavorful, this recipe is one of my favorites! Garlic and a splash of lemon add to the fresh taste and heart-healthy benefits of shrimp. —Sarah Hummel, Moon Township, Pennsylvania
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
Italian Sausage and Zucchini SoupEveryone in my family likes this soup recipe. Sometimes I add mini farfalle because my grandchildren say the noodles look like tiny butterflies. This recipe also works in a slow cooker. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida. Next, try these quick
farfalle recipes.
Whole Wheat Orzo SaladIn less than 30 minutes, I can put together this hearty salad of pasta, white beans and veggies—and it’s good for a crowd. —Mya Zeronis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mediterranean Orzo Chicken SaladOn hot days, I pull out this recipe for a cool supper. The lemon dressing is so refreshing. If you have it, use grilled chicken. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Roasted Veggie OrzoMy sister inspired this recipe. I added a few more spices, but the concept is hers. It's easy to vary, is a great way to add veggies to your diet and the olive oil is heart healthy. —Jackie Termont, Richmond, Virginia
Barbara's Italian Wedding SoupIn a little Italian restaurant in Santa Cruz, my husband and I had an amazing soup with orzo. I tweaked it at home to make it healthier but kept the warm, comforting flavor. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California
Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo SaladLoaded with veggies and shrimp, this crowd pleaser is a tasty change from standard pasta salads. —Ginger Johnson, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
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 EscarolePantry staples make this healthy soup oh, so simple to prepare. When I can't find escarole, I use fresh spinach. Just add to the soup pot moments before serving. —Gina Samokar, North Haven, Connecticut
Grilled Vegetable Orzo SaladVegetables that are in season make great additions to this orzo salad. It's the perfect side dish for a picnic, it can easily be doubled for a crowd, or you can add grilled chicken to make it a filling entree. —Danielle Miller, Westfield, Indiana
