10-Minute Easy Orzo Recipes Quick, Delicious Meals for Busy Days

Orzo, the pasta that looks like rice, is a weeknight hero. It cooks in less than 10 minutes and gets along with nearly any ingredient in your pantry or fridge. From creamy comfort meals to tangy salads, these recipes are made for big flavor with a fraction of the work. Let’s get started.

1- Lemon Garlic Butter Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• pepper, and fresh parsley

Steps

1. Cook orzo in salted boiling water for 8–10 minutes. Drain
2. While orzo cooks, melt butter in a pan. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Toss with garlic butter, lemon zest, and juice. Parmesan parsley into orzo Season to taste; adjust seasonings as needed.

Tip: Mix in baby spinach by hand for an added green color.

2- 10-Minute Caprese Orzos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo that is cooked
• 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella pearls
• Basil, chopped, torn
• Balsamic glaze
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Steps

1. Toss warm orzo with tomatoes. mozzarella, basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and balsamic glaze
2. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Pro Tip Use precooked orzo for even faster prep.

3- Spicy Tomato Feta Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 12 cups marinara sauce
• 14 cups crumbled feta
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh oregano optional.

Steps

1. Cook orzo, drain, and return to the pot.
2. Stir in marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and feta. Heat for 12 minutes.
3. Top with oregano and extra feta.

Pro Tip: Add a splash of cream for a richer sauce.

4- Pesto Parmesan Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 3 tbsp basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• Pine nuts optional.

Steps

1. Cook orzo. Drain and toss with pesto and Parmesan.
2. Top with toasted pine nuts for crunch.

Pro Tip: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or roasted veggies for extra flavor.

5- Greek Yogurt Dill Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked orzo
• 14 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Cucumber, diced
• Chopped fresh dill
• pepper

Steps

1. Mix warm orzo with cucumber, dill, lemon juice, and Greek yogurt.
2. Season to taste. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Pro Tip: Add smoked salmon or chickpeas for protein.

6- Garlic Butter Shrimp Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 12 lb precooked shrimp
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Lemon wedges

Steps

1. Cook orzo, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan. Sauté garlic for 1 minute, then toss in shrimp to warm.
3. Combine shrimp mixture with orzo. Squeeze lemon on top.

Pro Tip: Use frozen shrimp to thaw while orzo cooks.

7- Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 12 cups shredded cheddar
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• pepper

Steps

1. Cook orzo, drain, and return to the pot.
2. Stir in broccoli, cheddar, and cream cheese until melted. Season and serve.

Pro Tip: Microwave broccoli while the orzo boils.

8- Mediterranean Chickpea Orzo

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked orzo

12 cans of chickpeas, rinsed

Kalamata olives, cut Red onion chopped Olive oil and red vinegar

Steps

1. Toss orzo with chickpeas, olives, red onion, a drizzle of olive oil, and vinegar.
2. Season with oregano, and pepper.

Pro Tip: Add crumbled feta for a burst of tang.

9 Buffalo Chicken Orzo Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked orzo
• 12 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 tbsp Buffalo sauce
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Chopped celery

Steps

1. Toss warm orzo with chicken, Buffalo sauce, and celery.
2. Top with blue cheese.

Pro Tip: Drizzle with ranch dressing for a cooling contrast.

10- Cinnamon Honey Orzo Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked orzo
• 1/2 cup milk or almond milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Raisins or berries are optional.

Steps

1. Simmer cooked orzo with milk, honey, and cinnamon for 34 minutes.
2. Top with fruit and extra cinnamon.

Pro Tip Serve warm for a cozy dessert or breakfast.

Final Tips

Batch Cook Cook up a big batch of orzo at the start of the week for speedy suppers.

Personalize Replace any veggies, herbs, or proteins you’ve got lying around in the fridge.

Orzo’s secret is how versatile it is. With these recipes, you’ll never dread What’s for dinner? again, even on the busiest of nights.