
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.
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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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Recipe
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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Recipe
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…
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