18 Best Orzo Recipes

Lemon Parmesan Garlic Orzo with Spinach

This refreshing and flavorful orzo dish combines zesty lemon, savory Parmesan, and aromatic garlic with fresh spinach for a delightful meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add spinach, cooking until wilted.
4. Stir in cooked orzo, lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

A refreshing and colorful salad featuring orzo, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions, then drain and cool.
2. In a bowl, combine orzo, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta.
3. Whisk olive oil and vinegar together, pour over salad, and toss.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Creamy Mushroom and Thyme Orzo

Rich and earthy, this creamy orzo dish is infused with the aromatic flavors of mushrooms and thyme.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon thyme, dried or fresh
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo as per package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then add mushrooms and thyme.
3. Sauté until mushrooms are browned, then add cream and simmer.
4. Stir in orzo, season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

Pesto Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A vibrant and aromatic dish combining the rich flavors of pesto with the tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package directions; drain well.
2. In a bowl, mix orzo with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Top with toasted pine nuts and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

A hearty and nutritious dish featuring orzo combined with a medley of roasted seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook orzo as per package instructions.
2. Toss vegetables with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes.
4. Combine roasted vegetables with cooked orzo and serve warm.

Orzo with Shrimp and Peas

This delightful seafood dish features tender shrimp and sweet peas tossed with orzo in a light lemon sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup peas
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions, then drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté shrimp until pink.
3. Add peas and cook until warmed through.
4. Stir in orzo and lemon juice, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Orzo with Butternut Squash and Sage

A comforting fall-inspired dish, this orzo is combined with roasted butternut squash and fragrant sage.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sage, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Roast butternut squash tossed in olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.
2. Cook orzo according to package directions; drain.
3. Combine orzo with roasted squash and additional seasoning if needed.

Spicy Tomato and Basil Orzo

A lively orzo dish featuring a homemade spicy tomato sauce with fresh basil for an extra kick.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions, then set aside.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil and red pepper flakes, then add tomatoes.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring in basil and cooked orzo.
4. Season with salt and serve hot.

Orzo with Lemon and Asparagus

A fresh and citrusy dish, this orzo is combined with tender asparagus and bright lemon flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions; drain.
2. Blanch asparagus until tender, then drain.
3. In a bowl, mix orzo, asparagus, lemon juice, zest, and olive oil.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Orzo with Spinach and Chickpeas

A wholesome and protein-rich dish featuring orzo mixed with spinach and chickpeas for a nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook orzo according to the package, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic.
3. Add chickpeas and spinach, cooking until spinach wilts.
4. Stir in orzo and season with salt and pepper before serving.