20 Easy Recipes With Orzo

Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing Recipe

This simple shrimp and orzo salad is tossed with seasonal veggies and a bright, tangy dressing. Delicious at room temperature or chilled, it also makes a tasty lunch the next day if you have leftovers. You’ll need three cups of vegetables for this dish, but you can adjust the amounts of asparagus, sugar snap peas, and English peas.

Italian Turkey and Orzo Soup Recipe

Orzo is practically made for soup. It cooks much faster than rice and is just as satisfying. This quick soup comes together in just about 20 minutes, but still tastes rich and full.

Grilled Veggie Orzo Salad Recipe

If you have a grill basket, cut the peppers into strips and grill everything together—it’s a huge time-saver. Just be sure to stir occasionally so everything cooks evenly and chars nicely. Gina Homolka is the founder of skinnytaste.com and @skinnytaste.

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Orzo Salad Recipe

The grill is a healthy cook’s best friend, allowing you to build big flavor and crispiness with minimal added fat. Make this meal meatless by trading the chicken for steamed edamame or rinsed and drained black beans.

Chicken-Orzo Soup Recipe

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of hearty chicken soup. Pair with a sandwich for a simple, comforting dinner option.

Quick Chicken Picatta with Parslied Orzo Recipe

Sautéed lemon slices intensify the flavors of the pan sauce and make a beautiful garnish. Cook the orzo while you bread the chicken; while the chicken cooks, spread the orzo on a baking sheet to cool and to keep the grains from sticking together.

Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo Recipe

In just 30 minutes you can have restaurant-worthy seared scallops ready for a delicious weeknight dinner. This summertime recipe makes great use of your garden tomatoes and basil. Need a break from pasta? Grits or rice are both great substitutions for the orzo.

Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken Recipe

This colorful orzo and chicken main dish salad is packed with an assortment of chopped fresh vegetables and tossed with a tangy lemon dressing.  It's a great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Orzo and Herb Pilaf Recipe

If you'd like to sub whole-grain, unpearled farro for the orzo, reverse the cooking method: Simmer the farro until done, drain, then sauté for a couple minutes in the onion mixture before serving.

Creamy Lemon Orzo with Peas and Shrimp Recipe

We apply the risotto cooking method to pasta instead of rice for an easy, comforting main dish. It also saves time--just 15 minutes compared to the 20 to 30 minutes required for risotto. We recommend serving this main with Caramelized Baby Carrots.

Orzo with Crispy Pancetta and Chives Recipe

After the pancetta crisps, add the whole-wheat orzo to develop and soak up all the salty and buttery flavor. Acting as a blank canvas, orzo easily adapts to different flavors making rich pancetta drippings and fresh chopped chives the perfect balance and pairing.

Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs With Orzo Recipe

This Mediterranean-style grilling recipe comes together in 45 minutes, and it's packed with fiber and protein. Par cooking the potatoes speeds up grill time; pick small potatoes for even cooking.

Kritharoto (Orzo Pasta) with Peas, Lemon, and Feta Recipe

Chervil is a much-loved herb in Greece, where it's called myronia. If unavailable, substitute 7 tablespoons fresh parsley plus 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon. You can also sub 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for Maras. Serves 6 as a main course or 12 as a meze.

Orzo with Curried Cauliflower and Mint  Recipe

The orzo and cauliflower act as a blank canvas perfect for the curry powder and mint to showcase their flavors. This pasta salad side dish pairs great with grilled protein and can stand alone for a hot or cold lunch. Using the recipe as a base, add any vegetables of your choosing such as zucchini, onions, eggplant and fresh herbs.

Gulf Shrimp Orzo Recipe

This perfect late-summer seafood supper comes together in under an hour. You'll want to sprinkle the cheesy, buttery, lemony breadcrumbs on just about everything—and we don't blame you. 

Greek Pasta with Meatballs Recipe

This riff on spaghetti and meatballs uses rice-shaped pasta, ground lamb, and feta cheese for a delicious Greek-inspired supper that can be on your table in 40 minutes.

Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo Recipe

Serve this easy but impressive meal with a green salad, garlic bread, and a crisp white wine. Tip: Sear the scallops while the orzo cooks.

Quick Chicken Minestrone Recipe

Fresh, brightly colored vegetables add some welcome vibrancy to this comforting soup. Have fun with the noodle shape, or use any small pasta you have on hand. If you'd like, sprinkle each serving with freshly ground black pepper for a finishing touch.

Quick Fall Minestrone Recipe

Make the most of fall produce like butternut squash and kale in this hearty vegetarian soup. Pasta and beans make it especially filling.

Orzo with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette Recipe

As an easy and elevated pasta salad side dish, orzo is a great alternative to traditional pasta. Acting as a blank canvas, orzo adapts easily to flavors, sauces and vinaigrettes. Brighten this dish with the addition of fresh herbs and add any other herbs you like besides thyme and tarragon such as a basil and parsley.