What is it?

Orzo is a small pasta that’s similar in size and shape to rice, and can resemble risotto in both flavor and richness when cooked and combined with broth and cheese. This tiny pasta is a great addition to soups and makes a wonderful pasta salad. Side dishes made with orzo are also particularly nice with rich braises, roasted meats and poultry, or anything with a pan sauce that can mingle with the pasta.

How to prep:

In general, cooking orzo is like cooking any other pasta; just check frequently to avoid overcooking, as it can turn to mush if ignored. You’ll want to bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add a generous amount of salt before adding the orzo—the water should taste almost like seawater (the pasta absorbs only a small amount of the salt). The cooking time will vary depending on the brand, but you can anticipate that it will cook in slightly less time than other pastas.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Shrimp, Tomato, and Marinated Feta

  The combination of shrimp, feta, tomatoes, and pasta is one that I love. I return to it time and again for easy one-pot suppers. Orzo is the little pasta that…

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Cucumber, Tomatoes, and Feta

  This easy summer side dish is delicious served with lamb kebabs or any grilled fish, or pack it for a picnic to serve alongside fried or grilled chicken.

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Fontina, Lemon, and Herbs

  Reminiscent of cheesy herbed rice, but even quicker to prepare, this speedy side is delicious with grilled chicken or steak.

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Pistachios and Lemon

  This pasta side dish is delicious served with roast chicken or braised short ribs.

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  Recipe

  Lemony Orzo Soup with Baby Spinach and Peas

  Inspired by Greek avgolemono—a soup made with eggs, lemon, and rice or pasta—this recipe has spinach and baby peas for a soup that’s light and comforting. Use vegetable broth instead…

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  Grilled Corn and Orzo Salad with Basil

  Great at room temperature, this zesty pasta salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, or buffet. It’s versatile, too—any small pasta works well, and you can swap out the basil…

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  Recipe

  Grilled Lamb, Tomato, and Halloumi Skewers with Orzo Salad

  A tangy, garlicky marinade made with lots of fresh oregano pairs perfectly with full-flavored lamb. Unlike most cheeses, which melt at high heat, halloumi holds up well to grilling, so…

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  Orzo with Cherry Tomatoes, Gorgonzola, and Chives

  The sweet tomatoes in this simple pasta salad are juxtaposed against pungent Gorgonzola cheese. Make it extra gorgeous by mixing several colors and shapes of cherry tomatoes.

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Brown Butter and Parmesan

  This little black dress of a side dish pairs with practically anything—grilled meat, roasted chicken, sautéed vegetables. Like rice pilaf, the orzo is browned in butter before broth is added,…

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  Recipe

  Seared Scallops with Pumpkin and Herbed Orzo

  This stunning dish gets a double dose of pumpkin. Tender chunks of the sautéed flesh are stirred with orzo and the dish is finished with a sprinkling of chopped roasted…