14 Orzo Pasta Recipes That'll Remind You Why You Love It
The hottest carb right now.
This just in: Orzo pasta is the ultimate carb of the moment, and we're so very here for it. No longer just for '90s-era pasta salads, orzo glows up our favorite one-skillet meals, baked pasta dishes, soups, and yes, even some modernized pasta salads (especially this Greek orzo pasta salad). It's been awhile since we've played around with orzo, but we're officially here to bring it back. The fluffy, rice-shaped pasta is perfect for when you need a break from your usual pasta or grain and these 14 orzo pasta recipes are 14 more reasons to love it.
Orzo, a pretty precious pasta shape on its own, is one of our favorites because it not only looks like rice, but can be utilized like rice in many ways too. Best of all, it cooks up way faster than rice while still maintaining that signature creamy texture for dishes like, say, risotto. Next time you want something cozy fast, our recipes for orzo al limone, creamy Tuscan orzo, and our cacio e pepe-inspired orzo pasta don't require babysitting a bubbling skillet for an hour yet taste just as good as a classic risotto.
If you're a one-skillet-and-done kind of cook, orzo is about to rock your world. Cooking orzo slowly (in either water or chicken stock) helps to release natural starches that make creamy, dreamy weeknight dinners without a sink full of dishes. You're definitely going to want to acquaint yourself with our one-pan salmon and orzo and one-pot chicken shawarma and orzo skillet ASAP for low-effort (yet high-reward) dinners you'll dream about all week long.
Watch Next
28 Fresh & Summery Basil Recipes
25 Side Dishes For Hot Dogs
Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos
Pulled Pork