What is orzo?
Orzo, sometimes called orzo pasta, is a small shape of pasta made using durum wheat, semolina and water or eggs. It is easy to confuse orzo with rice because of its shape, but they are actually very different in terms of flavour and texture.
Is orzo rice or pasta?
Although orzo is shaped like rice, it is actually pasta. Rice is a grain that grows – usually in rice fields in water – that is then harvested and dried. Whereas orzo is a type of pasta, made from pasta dough that is usually pushed through a mould and cut to create a shape similar to rice.
How to cook orzo?
Orzo is a super-versatile pasta shape and can be cooked in different ways for different dishes. In general, to cook orzo bring a saucepan of water to a rolling boil, add a pinch of salt, then the orzo. Boil the orzo for 9-12 minutes depending on the pack instructions, then drain well. Since orzo is a small pasta shape, it can easily get stuck to the bottom of the saucepan so make sure you stir it a couple of times during cooking to avoid this. Discover our range of orzo recipes and read on for more tips.
Try cooking orzotto
Although orzo is pasta rather than rice, the small shape means you can cook it using the same method as risotto – this is called orzotto. To cook orzotto, you cook the orzo in stock rather than water. Instead of submerging the pasta in water and then draining it, you use just enough stock that it’s absorbed by the pasta. As the orzo cooks, it releases its starch into the stock creating a thick, glossy sauce similar to a risotto. Try roasted tomato orzotto for a weeknight treat or prawn and fennel orzotto for a Friday night feast. Looking for something warm and comforting? Our Brussels sprout and chestnut orzotto with burrata recipe is creamy and packed with veggies.
Try cooking orzo in a traybake
Traybakes are a delicious way to cook orzo as the pasta absorbs the flavours of the sauce, plus it’s fuss-free since all the cooking happens in the oven. For some traybakes, like this cheesy meatball traybake, you rinse your orzo in cold water before cooking to release some of the starch so your sauce doesn’t get too thick. Other traybake recipes rely on the starch released by the orzo to thicken the sauce, like our paella orzo traybake where orzo is added to roasted vegetables with stock and topped with fish before being cooked in the oven.
How to cook orzo for a salad
Since it’s such a small shape, orzo works beautifully in salads. To cook orzo for a salad, boil the pasta in plenty of water to the pack instructions. For some salad recipes, like our orzo pasta salad, you need to rinse the orzo under cold water after cooking so the heat from the pasta doesn’t wilt your salad leaves. For other orzo salads, like our broccoli, tomato and lemon orzo salad, once the orzo is cooked it’s simply tossed with the vegetables and salad dressing for a warm salad.
How much orzo per person?
The amount of orzo you need to cook per person will vary on the type of dish you are cooking, and the type of sauce you are pairing with the orzo. When you’re thinking about how much orzo to cook per person, 75g of dried pasta is a good rule of thumb. If you’re using it in a soup, like summer pea minestrone soup, you might want to use around 60g per person since the soup broth and other ingredients are filling. The same applies if you’re pairing the orzo with a filling pasta sauce, like in this courgette orzo traybake.
Is orzo gluten-free?
It’s easy to confuse orzo with rice – which is gluten-free – however, orzo is not gluten-free. This is because the main ingredient in orzo is durum flour, which is made from durum wheat. This type of flour is used in orzo and many other types of pasta because it has a high gluten content. The high amount of gluten and protein in durum flour produces a firm and chewier texture in the pasta.
However, you can find gluten-free orzo, like Tesco Finest Free From Orzo. This pasta is made using different types of flour, including cornflour and rice flour that are naturally gluten-free. You can swap gluten-free orzo for the orzo in any of our recipes since it takes the same amount of time to cook. Take a look at our recipe collection, for even more gluten-free recipe inspiration.
Is orzo healthy?
Orzo is a brilliant foundation for a healthy meal – it is a source of protein, which supports the maintenance of muscle mass. Use it as a base and try stirring through a veg-packed pasta sauce and topping with another source of protein, such as chicken or butter beans. It's important to consume orzo as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Can you reheat orzo?
Yes, you can reheat orzo. Orzo can be stored in the fridge for up to three days, covered, and then reheated. Just make sure your pasta is piping hot before eating.
There are several ways to reheat orzo and the quickest is to do it in the microwave. Put your orzo in a microwave-safe container and add a couple of tablespoons of water to stop it drying out. Cover the orzo loosely with a microwave-safe lid as this will help the orzo to steam as it reheats. Cook in the microwave on a high heat in 30 second bursts, stirring in between, until piping hot. Make sure you allow your food to sit for at least a minute after microwaving before you tuck in. This is because of carryover cooking, meaning your orzo will continue heating up as it’s resting.
If you don’t have a microwave, you can reheat your orzo in a saucepan with a lid. Add your orzo to the pan with a few tablespoons of water and put over a low heat with the lid on. Stir every few minutes, and if the orzo is looking dry or sticking to the bottom of the pan, add a little more water until it’s piping hot.
More inspiration for cooking orzo pasta
If you’re looking for more inspiration for cooking orzo pasta, you can often adapt other pasta recipes. Whilst orzo lends itself best to being covered in sauces or baking, it can also be interchangeable with other pasta recipes. Get creative and give it a whirl in some of your other pasta dishes.
If we’ve inspired you to delve further into Italian cuisine, we also have plenty of Italian recipes to choose from, from timeless classics like spaghetti carbonara to crowd-pleasers like pizza recipes for your Friday night.
