15 Inventive Plant-Based Orzo Recipes

Orzo is a great addition to the staples pantry as it works so well in soups and as a substitute for couscous or even rice. Traditionally used in Italian cooking for soups, it also shows up in Greek cuisine and has quickly made its way around the world.

Though not a grain in its own right, but rather a type of pasta, orzo works well in salads, or in any dish where you might find yourself reaching for the rice, quinoa, or couscous. It is great sprinkled in soups and gives them some bulk and bite.

Here are a few OGP articles that use Orzo in some delicious and creative ways.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our Bean Archives!

1. Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill

Source: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill

This Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill by Nichole Harju is made with fresh dill, crisp veggies, & a light dressing. Make this vegan recipe in 10 minutes for a healthy lunch.

2. Greek Spinach and Orzo Soup

Source: Greek Spinach and Orzo Soup

This healthy Greek Spinach and Orzo Soup by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez is warm, and soothing, and makes a delicious dinner that is tangy and bursting with lemon flavor. It is pleasantly and lightly filling, and ideal for when you need a break from rich, hearty dishes and indulgent sweets. This colorful Mediterranean recipe is so simple to prepare

3. Toasted Orzo with Roasted Garlic and Asparagus

Source: Toasted Orzo with Roasted Garlic and Asparagus

There is something magical that happens when you toast orzo on a hot stove. Who would have thought that browning this cute, rice-shaped pasta in melted vegan butter would be the first step in preparing a simple dinner like this? You will love this Toasted Orzo with Roasted Garlic and Asparagus by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez.

4. Tomato Orzo Risotto

Source: Tomato Orzo Risotto

This Tomato Orzo Risotto by Lenny Wu is an easy one-pot dish that you can make without the hassle of your typical rice-based risotto.

5. Broccoli and Olive Orzo Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Source: Broccoli and Olive Orzo Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

This Broccoli and Olive Orzo Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette by Alison Edmund is a great way to add some variety to your lunch or dinner routine – simple and delicious! Toss the pasta with a splash of olive oil after cooking so it won’t stick together, toss together all other ingredients, including your sauce and it’s the perfect lunch on the go!

6. Orzo Soup with White Bean Balls

Source: Orzo Soup with White Bean Balls

The bean balls in this soup are what make it! The soup itself has a delicious flavor, but the bean balls are what take the cake! This Orzo Soup with White Bean Balls by Wholesome LLC is perfect for a chilly day and will impress anyone you serve it to!

7. White Bean and Orzo Minestrone

Source: White Bean and Orzo Minestrone

Try making this simple White Bean and Orzo Minestrone by Adams Media. It’s a delicious Italian staple that even your Nonna will be impressed by. Perfetto!

8. Orzo Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Source: Orzo Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This is a hearty, comforting, and nourishing meal for all of your sweet potato and orzo needs! This recipe for Orzo Stuffed Sweet Potatoes by Deena Mehta incorporates a variety of nuts and orange flavors to the orzo and some cranberries for color and vitamins. The cranberries make it exciting, and of course, the nuts give it texture and satisfying protein.

9. Spicy Black Bean and Orzo Chili

Source: Spicy Black Bean and Orzo Chili

Some would rather eat the same thing all week than have to think about what they’re bringing for lunch every day. If that’s you, this Spicy Black Bean and Orzo Chili by Rene Barker is for you! This chili is packed with nutritious veggies and fiber-filled beans, PLUS orzo which makes this extra hearty and filling. Divide the finished product into individual containers for easy access to grab and go on busy mornings.

10. Green Spring Minestrone With Orzo and Asparagus

Source: Green Spring Minestrone With Orzo and Asparagus

This Green Spring Minestrone With Orzo and Asparagus by Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer is the perfect dish to enjoy on a cool spring evening. The light, lemony broth is poured over orzo and tender shoots of asparagus. This dish will quickly make its way onto your list of favorite recipes.

11. Kale and Orzo Soup With White Bean Balls

Source: Kale and Orzo Soup With White Bean Balls

This Kale and Orzo Soup With White Bean Balls by Caitlin and Riley Gladney-Hatcher is warm, nourishing, and super nutritious! The soft and savory white bean balls give this dish some added protein to last through your day’s adventures. Enjoy it as is, or add rice or grains of your choice, for some added bulk.

12. Creamy Mushroom and Spinach ‘Orzotto’

Source: Creamy Mushroom and Spinach ‘Orzotto’

This Creamy Mushroom and Spinach ‘Orzotto’ by Becky Cotter is great because you can make the sauce during the day and then all you need to do in the evening is cook the pasta and stir it in! Perfect for when you want a home-cooked meal that comes together quickly and tastes great.

13. Garlic Beet Greens

Source: Garlic Beet Greens

This Garlic Beet Greens recipe by Elaine Lander with orzo and cannellini beans is a staple for weeknight dinners. It makes a quick, easy, vegan-friendly dinner on a budget.

14. Miso Greens Soup

Source: Miso Greens Soup

This Miso Greens Soup by Katie Koteen is a necessity during the holiday season—the perfect soothing meal for days you don’t feel like eating heavy foods. It’s ridiculously quick and easy to make. Keep in mind that boiling miso kills all the good digestive helpers it contains. For this reason, this soup doesn’t reheat that well, but the recipe halves easily if you want to avoid any waste.

15. Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Source: Mediterranean Orzo Salad

This Mediterranean Orzo Salad by Dominique Ebra is a wonderful meal to make as a side dish or a great dish to share with friends!

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!