How to Cook Orzo at Home

Learn how to cook orzo in this straightforward recipe! Orzo pasta is a satisfying, small pasta that is shaped like rice and can be used in so many recipes. It’s especially versatile and can be seasoned a variety of ways. Use it as a simple side dish, add it to salads or soups and use it to make pasta-based casseroles!

Orzo has quickly become one my regular side dishes to make. This Orzo Pasta Salad is always a crowd pleaser! Orzo is inexpensive, quite straightforward to make and is truly versatile! You can serve it warm or cold and the texture is notable! It’s so tender and smooth and makes the reliable base for salads, but it’s also great for adding to soups, stews and casseroles!

What is orzo?

Orzo is a small, flat, oval-shaped pasta that resembles rice, only a tad bigger. Orzo is conveniently located in the pasta aisle of pretty much any grocery store. It’s is cooked only as most pasta is – boiled in salted water and then drained. It’s incredibly speedy to make, and unfussy to incorporate into any pasta dish – you can use orzo like you would rice or in a variety of salad and soup recipes. If orzo is new to you, do yourself a favor and give it a try!

How to cook orzo

Cooking orzo is particularly simple! If you’ve cooked any type of pasta, then you won’t have any problems at all. Here’s the simple method:

1. Boil. Add the water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the salt.
2. Simmer. Add in the pasta and stir. Continue to simmer and cook for 7-8 minutes until it reaches your desired tenderness. It should be at al dente around 7 minutes.
3. Serve. Drain and use as desired!

FAQs

What does orzo taste like?

The tiny orzo noodles have a particularly neutral flavor. Because the noodles are so small, they instantly soak up flavor and become tender when mixed with other ingredients, making them great for salads and soups.

Is orzo gluten free?

Like most pasta, usually not! Most varieties of orzo pasta are NOT naturally gluten free, but I have seen some gluten-free versions that you can look for online or in health food stores. Trader Joe’s makes a savory plant-based orzo pasta that is fully gluten free and plant based too!

Orzo substitute?

If you need to substitute orzo in a recipe, you truly could use any pasta that you have on hand, but know that cook times will vary. I suggest picking a similarly-sized pasta, such as ditalini, acini di pepe, or orecchiette.

How many calories in orzo?

A quarter cup (2 ounces) of dry orzo delivers around 200 calories, 7 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 41 grams of carbohydrates [source].

How to store leftover cooked orzo pasta

Refrigerate: Be sure to refrigerate any cooked orzo within two hours of cooking in an airtight container or a zip-top baggie. Orzo will keep well for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

Freeze: You can also freeze orzo in a zip-top baggie. It will keep well for up to about 3 months. Don’t forget to add the date to the packaging.

Reheat: Orzo is great served chilled or simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. Like any pasta, leftover orzo can dry out a bit, so you may need to add a bit of water before rewarming. You can also add a little lemon juice and season with salt and pepper for extra flavor.

More simple side dish recipes you’ll enjoy:

• Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
• Instant Pot Chickpeas
• Blistered Tomatoes
• Air Fryer Onion Rings