15 Orzo Recipes for Easy, Delicious Dinners!

If you’re a little stuck in a rut with your usual pasta recipes for family dinners, you need to try these orzo recipes! Orzo are small pasta shaped like a grain of rice, and thanks to their quick cook time and their ability to soak up delicious flavors, they’re the perfect starting point for quick, easy, and flavorsome weeknight meals. 

In this collection, I’m sharing 15 of my favorite orzo recipes that I think you’ll love. From simple creamy garlic parmesan orzo, to show stopping and dinner party worthy Tuscan shrimp orzo, these recipes are simple to prepare and very deserving of a place in your regular meal rotation! 

1. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo

If comfort food is your love language, this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo is for you. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl—rich, cheesy, and ridiculously creamy. I love serving this one for meat-free Mondays, and I love just how easy it is to prepare. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes.
3. Add chicken broth and simmer until the orzo is tender, about 8–10 minutes.
4. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan, and serve warm.

2. Cajun Chicken Orzo

Spice up your weeknight dinners with this Cajun Chicken Orzo. It’s bold, super flavorsome, and the perfect one-pan wonder that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds. If you’re a big spice fan, you can add some red pepper flakes just before serving for an extra kick. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook chicken until golden.
2. Add orzo and toast for a minute, then stir in broth and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in heavy cream, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley.

3. Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Marry me chicken has been going viral for the past few years across platforms like TikTok, and it’s a creamy, totally delicious recipe based on Tuscan chicken. This orzo recipe puts a fresh spin on those flavors, and it’s a wholesome, satisfying meal that the whole family will love. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sear chicken until golden and set aside.
2. Add orzo to the skillet and toast briefly. Stir in broth and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
3. Add cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Stir until creamy.
4. Return chicken to the skillet and garnish with fresh basil.

4. One-Pot Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet

Think cheeseburger meets pasta, and you’ve got this creamy, cheesy skillet meal. It’s family-friendly, fast, and downright irresistible.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup orzo
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup mustard
• Pickles, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown ground beef and drain excess fat.
2. Stir in orzo, broth, ketchup, and mustard. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with pickles and serve.

5. Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Orzo

Juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce—this orzo dish tastes like a five-star meal, but it’s weeknight-friendly. Perfect for hosting friends or just when you feel like something a little fancy! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Fresh spinach, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Sear shrimp in olive oil until cooked through and set aside.
2. Toast orzo in the same skillet, then add broth and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
3. Stir in cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Return shrimp and garnish with spinach.

6. Lemon Chicken Orzo

Light, zesty, and packed with flavor, this Lemon Chicken Orzo is a refreshing take on comfort food. Perfect for spring dinners or whenever you need a citrusy pick-me-up!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
2. Add orzo to the skillet and toast briefly. Stir in broth and simmer until tender.
3. Add lemon zest, juice, and Parmesan. Stir in chicken and garnish with parsley and extra lemon zest.

7. Cheesy One-Pot Orzo

This Cheesy One-Pot Orzo is the ultimate side dish or main course for cheese lovers! Creamy, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook orzo in chicken broth until tender.
2. Stir in heavy cream and cheese until melted and creamy.
3. Serve warm and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

8. Ground Turkey Orzo in Tomato Sauce