Easy orzo recipes
Orzo is an incredibly versatile pasta shape that’s growing in popularity all the time. If you ask us, every self-respecting storecupboard or larder should have a packet or two.
It looks just like a grain of rice – indeed in Italian it’s known as risoni (meaning large rice) – but this tiny pasta shape works a treat in stews, instead of cous-cous in a salad, or in creamy risotto-style dishes, we like to dub ‘orzotto’. Orzo cooks in next to no time making it a perfect midweek dinner standby. Is there anything orzo can’t do?
Our easy orzo recipes include vegan orzo with a rich roasted veg sauce, creamy beetroot orzotto that shines vibrant pink, and the orzo recipe that went viral – our insanely good (if we say so ourselves) orzo carbonara. The pasta shape is also brilliant cooked in chicken broth, as in this springtime recipe, and it’s just fab stirred through a midweek sausage and fennel ragù, perfect for snuggling up with on the sofa on cold days, spoon in hand. Explore our range of recipes, from quick vegetarian dinners to meaty one-pots to impress at the weekend.
Which easy and delicious orzo recipe do you want to try first?
Showing 1-16 of 31 recipes
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Easy orzo
Pea green orzotto
This beautiful, bright green orzo has the fresh flavours of sweet peas, fragrant basil and a wonderful oozy texture thanks to the mozzarella. It’s spring in a bowl!
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Air fryer
Air fryer orzo puttanesca
This easy air fryer orzo puttanesca takes is one-pot cooking at its best, using storecupboard ingredients such as tinned tomatoes and olives.
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Easy orzo
One-pot harissa meatball orzo
This one-pot harissa orzo is turned into a comfort food winner with lamb meatballs and melty mozzarella. Try it tonight.
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Easy orzo
Orzo russian salad with tuna
This russian salad uses orzo for a delicious pasta side. It also has a warm Spanish flavour with tuna, eggs, olives and roasted red peppers.
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July seasonal
Halloumi and blistered tomato orzo
This 5-ingredient dinner is so easy. It's full of flavour from blistered tomatoes, grated halloumi, mint and lemon.
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One-pot chicken
Braised chicken with kefir, orzo and dried limes
An easy chicken dinner with big flavour. Tender braised chicken and toothsome orzo mingle in a tangy kefir sauce in this elegant one-pot.
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Easy orzo
Chicken and chicory orzo
Combine crispy chicken and orzo with caramelised chicory for an easy midweek dinner you'll return to again and again in the winter months.
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Easy orzo
Porcini orzotto
Lighter than regular risotto, this easy ‘orzotto’ switches out rice for orzo pasta and uses dried porcini for intense flavour.
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Easy dinner ideas
Chicken, bean and orzo soup with walnut pesto
This hearty chicken and bean soup is packed with nuggets of filling orzo pasta. Finish with a generous swirl of homemade walnut pesto.
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30-minute meals
Sausage, fennel and mascarpone orzo
This orzo is richly delicious and makes use of the classic flavour combo of sausage and fennel. Perfect weeknight comfort food.
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30-minute meals
Harissa salmon with orzo courgette salad
Orzo pasta salads rule, and this one can be served hot or cold. The key to this delicious orzo salmon salad is the lightly pickled courgettes
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Easy dinner party mains
Orzo carbonara
It won’t please any Italians, but stirring carbonara through orzo instead of the more usual spaghetti creates an unparalleled creaminess.
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Midweek meals
‘Coq au vin’ orzo
Coq au vin – a rich red wine stew of chicken, bacon and mushrooms – is the inspiration for this deeply satisfying orzo dish.
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Chicken soups
Chicken, lemon and orzo soup
This six-ingredient chicken soup is inspired by avgolemono, a Greek dish that sees eggs and lemon juice whisked up to thicken chicken broth.
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Easy orzo
Spatchcocked roast chicken with orzo and roast vegetables
Spatchcocked roast chicken is perfect for a speedy and easy midweek roast, served alongside roast veggies and orzo.
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Easy orzo
Orzo halloumi salad
Our orzo, rocket and halloumi salad is full of sunshine flavours. This versatile recipe works in lunchboxes, as a summer side or buffet dish.
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